Tinubu Receives Regional Govt. Bill Next Week

The bill's introductory text states in part: “Whereas Nigeria, its peoples, and government have been governed under Decree 24 of 1999 that was handed down by the then military government without the express consent of the people, despite the preamble of ‘We, the people.’

Daniel OkejemeJune 8, 2024859

President Bola Tinubu will next week receive a bill that aims to reinstate the regional government system in the country, according to the proponent of the bill.

The bill is titled, ‘A Bill for an Act to substitute the annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a new governance model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria’.

Persecondnews recalls that the House of Representatives recently distanced itself from the draft bill that circulated on social media platforms, particularly X.

Among other things, the bill proposes to rename existing laws as “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: New Governance Model for Nigeria Act 2024.”

The bill’s introductory text states in part: “Whereas Nigeria, its peoples, and government have been governed under Decree 24 of 1999 that was handed down by the then military government without the express consent of the people, despite the preamble of ‘We, the people.’

“Whereas the said Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) is not autochthonous as it does not evolve from the deliberations and consensus of the Nigerian people, whereas the peoples of Nigeria now desire and effectively demand a change to a constitution based on a federal or regional system of government.

“Whereas the federal and regional governments are to operate within the provisions of this Constitution, it is within the discretion of the ethnic blocs within the states that constitute a given region to aggregate or disaggregate as provinces, divisions, and districts, while being in control of their affairs without let or hindrance at whatever level of governance.”

Akin Rotimi, the House spokesperson, and Francis Waive, the chairman of the Rules and Business committee, clarified that the House was not currently considering or debating the proposed bill.

Dr. Akin Fapohunda, the author of the private bill, has opted to bypass the legislative process and will instead submit the proposed legislation directly to President Tinubu, who may then choose to present it to parliament as an executive bill.