SENATE MAY VOTE AGAINST LG AUTONOMY! Ahead of the Tuesday clause by clause voting on the alteration of 1999 Constitution, feelers so far gathered from Senate debate on the Ekweremadu led Constitution Review committee recommendations have shown that the upper chamber of the National Assembly may vote against local government autonomy. Already, majority of the senators that participated at the debate expressed misgivings over providing autonomy to local governments in a federal system of government. In their contributions to the debate, Senators Bukola Saraki, Kwara State, Danjuma Goje, Gombe State, Domingo Obende, Edo State, Ben. Ayande, Cross River and a host of other senators strongly voted against attempt by the Senate to grant financial autonomy to local government administration, contrary to the demand of Nigerians in some quarters, saying that allowing such independence to the third tire of government would further pave way for massive corruption. Although the lawmakers differ in their views, but majority of the senators were of the opinion that what should preoccupy Nigerians now should be on issue of leadership, indiscipline and corruption which has to be holistically tackled from the history. In his submission, Senator Domingo Obende kicked against the call for local government autonomy, saying that the issue of local government autonomy, if allowed, will create a chaotic situation in the country. Obende maintained that the federal and state government structures be maintained so as to avoid a situation where local government chairmen would begin to exercise powers without regards to the state structure. The debate which was concluded, paved the way for voting for and against some of the controversial issues as proposed in the constitution such as the six years tenure, LG autonomy, state creation, traditional institutions and indigeneship. Contributing during the debate, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, PDP Nasarawa west, said unless major issues such as corruption, indiscipline and leadership crisis were addressed by going back into history, the review of the constitution would amount to chasing a mere shadow. He stressed that if the local government cannot be taken away from the constitution, then the structure should be allowed to remain as it is in the present set-up. Senator Ben Ayade, PDP Cross River North and Senator Bassey Otu, Cross River South, who unanimously oppose the six years single term and state police, also supported maintenance of immunity clause in the constitution. Meanwhile, Senate President David Mark has ordered all the senate committees to suspend all oversight functions on Tuesday next week to enable the senators turn up and participate in the voting exercise.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 04:31:22 +0000
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