Restructuring: Reps vow not to surrender power

The battle for restructuring took another shape yesterday, with lawmakers insisting that the task is within their power.

In fact, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara said they would not surrender their power to make laws, including one that will pave the way for the restructuring of the country.

But a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), said President Muhammadu Buhari is constitutionally vested with the power to restructure the country.

The President during his broadcast to the nation on his return from his 103 days medical vacation frowned at the level of agitation  in the country and said the National Assembly and the Council of State were empowered to restructure the country.

Agbakoba disagreed. He said “The President has delegated the responsibility to restructure Nigeria to the National Assembly and Council of State.

“But, this responsibility cannot be delegated. Section 5 of the Constitution vests the President with executive powers of the federation and this includes the power to restructure Nigeria.”

But Dogara said the National Assembly would not be intimidated into abandoning its  legislative duties of providing a platform for Nigerians to agree or disagree on any proposed legislative measure.

According to him, all the arguments about restructuring are legislative issues that would be dealt with through a constitution review.

He backed an equitably restructured but  united Nigeria, saying those who want to agitate should do so within the ambit of the law.

Dogara spoke on the first day of resumption after a two month recess by the lawmakers.

Senators, who also resumed yesterday, pledged their unalloyed support for Nigeria’s indivisibility after a lengthy executive session.

Dogara said: ”We would work shoulder to shoulder with all those working within the ambit of the constitution and the law for all Nigerians, regardless of creed or ethnicity, to be first class citizens as no nation can truly be first class if it harbours within its borders second or third class citizens.

“Do we have a legislative response to the issues that have been thrown up?

“Is the National Assembly involved in the debate? Can restructuring take place outside the existing legal order?

“Indeed all the arguments about restructuring are at the end of the day, legislative issues.

“It may be necessary in due course for the National Assembly to have a second look at the issues that have been thrown up.”

The House declared its readiness to re-open the consideration of the devolution of power bill, which it threw out during the voting on the Constitution Amendment Bill but which many Nigerians and states seem to favour.

The House said the purpose of the resolution to revisit the issue was to reduce tension in the polity and cement the country’s unity.

The resolution followed the adoption of the prayers of a motion of urgent National importance brought by House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila.

The House also resolved to immediately set up a committee to liaise with all stakeholders across the six geopolitical zones for practical solutions to the unity of Nigeria.”

The committee, led by Deputy Speaker Yusuff Lasun, has  all other members of the House leadership as members.

Othe members are the Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nnena Elendu- Ukeje and Hon. Bode Ayorinde, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business.

The committee was given the mandate to go to all the geo-political zones and meet with the governors, traditional rulers, youth groups, civil society organisations, among others, and bring back a report for consideration and adoption.

On the Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) Bill, Dogara pointed out that since NGOs had always promoted openness and transparency,  they should embrace this opportunity to interrogate the bill with open arms.

He condemned attempts to misinform the public on the Bill by the NGOs, saying, “Public criticism of the content of the Bill is a welcome development and there are many who are doing just that.

“Indeed, it is the reason why every Bill is subjected to public hearing so that the inputs of stakeholders can be obtained to ensure public buy-in.

“I hasten to say that all Nigerians and other corporate persons, including non-Nigerians, are stakeholders and have a right to support or oppose a Bill.

The Presidency praised the House on its resolve to keep Nigeria united.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Reps) Hon. Suleiman Kawu, in a statement, said: “May I use this opportunity commend the 360 members of the House for unanimously passing a resolution to work for the unity of Nigeria in the face of daunting challenges and threats by certain groups, who are bent on causing disharmony and dis-unity among Nigerians.

“Indeed, there is no better time to come out with such a strong position like now. In the same vein, the lawmakers resolved to work with Mr President for one Nigeria so as to take the country to the next level of development is laudable.

“I wish to assure the lawmakers, under the leadership of Mr Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, that Mr President remains resolute and committed to bringing the change he promised Nigerians in different facets of our lives. Thus, he needs the support of the House to achieve this.”