On Friday, President Bola Tinubu is slated to receive a draft bill advocating for a return to a regional system of governance in Nigeria. Crafted by Akin Fapohunda, a prominent member of the Yoruba socio-cultural association, Afenifere, the proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to substitute the annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with New Governance Model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” seeks significant reforms, including the establishment of a new governing structure under the banner of “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria New Governance Model for Nigeria Act 2024.”
Despite the House of Representatives disowning the bill, stating it hadn’t been listed for deliberation within the ongoing constitutional review, Fapohunda confirmed that the draft would be transmitted to the President. However, he mentioned a seven-day waiting period before releasing it to the public.
The proposed regions outlined by Fapohunda encompass a Southern region comprising Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, and Cross Rivers States, with optional inclusion of various ethnic groups. Similarly, the South Eastern and Western regions are delineated, along with other proposed regional divisions covering different parts of the country.
The bill envisions a two-tier government system, federal and regional, granting the latter autonomy in managing their affairs, including the creation of sub-entities based on agreed-upon stipulations. Additionally, it suggests a reconfiguration and downsizing of administrative structures to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
Key proposals include a uni-camera federal legislature, decentralization of federal power among fewer regions, and a return to the parliamentary mode of government with a statutory rotation of leadership among regions.
In essence, the draft bill advocates for a fundamental restructuring of Nigeria’s governance framework, aiming to address issues of representation, efficiency, and regional autonomy.
