AD Canvansses True Federalism

The Alliance for Democracy (AD) said in Kaduna that only “a true federal system of government” would stabilise the polity, strengthen democracy and promote good governance.

The National Publicity Secretary of AD, Mr Rafiu Salau, told  our correspondent reports that the current constitution had made the creation of local councils “a Herculean venture’’ thereby denying the people effective governance.

“AD is calling on the states to insist on a constitution that will ensure pure federalism because that is the only type of constitution that will make them perform their duties as federating units,’’ Salau said.

Salau said that the states could not create local councils without the approval of the National Assembly or amendment of the constitution, particularly Section 3 Subsection 6, which “states the number of local governments in the country’’.

“With the current position, Section 3 Subsection 6 of the constitution has to be amended before any new local government can be recognised by the constitution.

“Knowing well the stiff conditions required for the amendment of the constitution, the subsection is there to make it impossible for the states to create local governments without the consent of other states even when they have nothing to do with the new local governments,’’ he added.

He suggested that the constitution should be concerned with guidelines for the creation of local governments as well as give recognition to the councils created by any state legislature under the stipulated guidelines

Salau pointed out that all the existing local governments were created by former military regimes and noted that it was important to allow the states to create local councils with the consent of the people at the grassroots.

“In other words, for the past ten years no local government has been created even when necessary. Local government can be strong and effective if the creation is by the people,’’ he said.

Salau advised the 36 states legislature to call for the review of sections 3 [6], 7, 8[3], [5] and [6], including the First Schedule Part One and Second Schedule of the constitution.

He said: “The states, federating units, need more power to function effectively.’’

Our correspondent further reports that National Assembly (NASS) has given harmonised copy of the amended constitution to the respective state Houses of Assembly for their ratification.

The constitution stipulated that the approval of 2/3 majority of the states’ legislature was required for the passage of the amended constitution.