S’West govs propose six regions, demand LG autonomy, resource control

Governors in the South-West geopolitical zone have proposed conversion of the present six geopolitical zones into federating units, as part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly.

The South-West Governors’ Forum, in a document presented to members of the National Assembly from the geopolitical zone , also made their proposals to weaken central government, while allocating more powers to the federating units and states.

The document containing the proposals by the governors, which was presented to the South-West caucus of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The governors had met with the lawmakers in Abuja behind closed doors last week.

The governors at the meeting were Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo State, who is also the Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Kayode Fayemi(Ekiti State), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun).

After the meeting, Akeredolu had said the South-West would be approaching the constitution amendment with a common front.

He added that the meeting had set a committee made up of senators led by the caucus chairman (Opeyemi Bamidele) and House of Representatives caucus chairman (Femi Fakeye) and attorneys-general of the South-West states.

“The community is to harmonize our position so that we can present it when necessary before the two Houses and at the end of the day, have a constitutional amendment and have our serious input”.

The forum added that “the geopolitical zones have been recognized and accepted by Nigeria’s political class”.

It also said, “”Section 3(6) be amended to provide for a number of local government or such autonomous administrative units to be created by the respective federating units or states, the criteria of which shall include population, taxable capacity, ethno-religious or other cultural and social affinities”.

Another major proposal in the presentation is an amendment to Section 7 of the constitution which is about local government.

The governors ask that the section “include an additional sub-section prohibiting the dissolution of elected local government councils”.

“This will be in compliance with the Supreme Court decisions in ALGON v Oyo State Government; AG Plateau State & Others v Goyol & Others ; Governor Ekiti State v Olubunmo & Others “, the forum added.

Also, the South-West Governors proposed that Section 8 be amended by deleting Sub-sections 5 and 6, thereby removing the power to create state from the Federal Government.

The proposal reads, “Section 8(5) and (6) should be expunged. Section (1) and (2) provides for the procedures for creation of state while Section 8(3), (4), (5) and (6) provides for the procedure for creation  of local governments.

“However, Section 8(5) and (6) should be expunged to make local government creation the exclusive duty of the state government.

The governors also want the states to be in charge of mineral resources within their respective territories.

Consequently, they have proposed an amendment to Section 44(3) that vests exploitation of mineral oils and natural gas in the Federal Government.