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Principal officers of the National Assembly (NASS) have denied the existence of a Bill purported to have been submitted President Bola Tinubu to return Nigeria to a regional government.
In a recent wave of speculation which gained traction on social media claimed that the proposed bill was to transition Nigeria back to a regional government structure. This discussion arises amid ongoing debates among Southern and Northern Senators concerning the future governance model for the country.
The circulated draft bill, primarily shared via WhatsApp, suggests an “Act to Substitute the Annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a New Governance Model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” Within the accompanying text, it is claimed that the bill marks a pivotal move toward reinstating Nigeria’s regional governance system, a system that existed from 1957 to 1967, prior to the country’s current state-based framework.
The controversy intensified during a two-day retreat organized by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, where lawmakers gathered to discuss amendments to the 1999 Constitution. Tensions were palpable, with Senators from the North largely opposing a return to regional governance, while their Southern counterparts viewed it as a necessary step toward enhancing economic development and addressing security concerns.
Prominent Northern Senators, including Abdul Ningi and Sani Musa, firmly expressed their opposition, highlighting the historical shortcomings of regional governance in their regions. They argued for improved governance and responsible management of resources instead of reverting to a divisive regional model.
Conversely, Southern Senators, like Abdulfatai Buhari, advocated for regional governance as a means to enable regions to better manage their resources and reduce corruption, reflecting a markedly different perspective on governance and resource allocation.
Amidst these discussions, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele clarified that regionalism was not part of the ongoing constitutional review, emphasizing the need for broad political consensus and public support before any fundamental changes could be made.
Seeking clarity on the rumors surrounding President Tinubu’s alleged bill, PRNigeria conducted an investigation and found that no such proposed legislation has been officially submitted to the National Assembly. In fact, officials from both the House of Representatives and the Senate have publicly debunked the claims, stating that there is no record of a bill aimed at reinstating regional governance currently under consideration.
PRNigeria traced the source of the draft bill to Dr. Akin Fapohunda, a retired federal permanent secretary and member of the Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, underscoring its origin outside official legislative channels. House spokesman Hon Akin Rotimi and Spokesperson to the Senate President, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh and others have reiterated that the legislative process is transparent and that no such proposal has made its way through established procedures.
PRNigeria factcheck desk therefore concludes that the assertion that President Tinubu submitted a bill to the National Assembly for the return to regional government structure is misleading and false. Nevertheless, the discussions surrounding Nigeria’s governance continue, but as it stands, no formal legislative action has occurred regarding this contentious issue.
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