THE SEEMING FACE-OFF BETWEEN STATE GOVERNORS AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S AUTONOMY IS UNNECESSARY AND A DISTRACTION
The June 12 Coalition of Democratic Formations (J12CODEF) condemns in strong terms the despicable seeming face-off between the 36 States Governors and the members of the National Assembly over the issue of local government autonomy. We regard this face off as a show off, unnecessary and a distraction from their constitutional duties which
has not in any way impacted positively on the lives of the masses of this country.
June 12 Coalition of Democratic Formations wants Nigerians to beware of the antics of these gladiators whose fight on local government autonomy is predicated on reasons other than altruistic ones.
J12CODEF would like to use this opportunity once again to remind the leadership and members of the National Assembly that any tampering with the status quo of the local governments requires a constitutional amendment in which they are statutorily unqualified. The members of the National Assembly should be told in clear terms that their constitutional duties begins and ends with the making of laws for the good governance of the Nigerian state and does not in any way give them the powers to amend the constitution which they are infringing upon and which at the end of the day will amount to waste of time, resources and nullity.
The Constitution is the Grundnorm from which the National Assembly owes its existence and predates any law, so it will be foolhardy for a son to give birth to his father which is akin to what the National Assembly is trying to do in this case of Constitutional review which has now become a ritual for every legislative session. The making of the constitution in any sane, decent and orderly society is the duties and responsibilities of a constituent assembly made up of representatives of cohabiting interests and groups and not the legislature as it is being illegally and unconstitutionally driven in
our country.
As for the Governor’s, we only hope they will realize that opposition will continue to mount to their tinkering with Local governments funds just because they are being shortchanged by the lopsided revenue sharing formula which puts them at a disadvantage in a supposed federal but operating unitary system of government in a federation.
J12CODEF believes that if the governors and members of the National Assembly are indeed serious about championing the cause of the common man which they are posturing, the most reasonable thing to do is to jointly chart a road map for true federalism through the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) as the antidote to the myriad
of problems confronting the Nigerian state of which they are badly positioned to solve.
Thanks,
Yours Sincerely,
Baba Omojo Nelson Ekujumi
Chairman General Secretary
JUNE 12 COALITION OF DEMOCRATIC FORMATIONS (J12CODEF)
10 Afolabi Lesi Street, Ilupeju, Lagos.
Tel: 08023172694, 08034040009, 08023215950
E-mail: june12coalition93@gmail.com
Dated 28/01/2013