The Former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, Oluseun Abimbola (SAN), has reiterated the importance of overhauling the Nigerian constitution, a step, according to him that would guarantee the desire true democracy the nation desires.
Abimbola noted that the same attention has to be given to about the 23 amendment bills before the state assemblies, pointing out that the amendment of the local government bill is a step in the same direction.
Abimbola stated this while featuring on a radio programme in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, pointing out that local government autonomy is necessary but it is not being given the right attention by the majority of the state governors.
He said, “It is desirable to have that constitutional amendment but it should be known, that it is not the only proposed amendment before the States’ Houses of Assembly- there are about 23 or more amendments that will follow the same process. If some states are having issues with few of the proposed amendments of the constitution but they have no problem with supporting local government autonomy, automatically local government autonomy law will suffer for it.”
“It is just that some States’ Houses of Assembly are not focusing on doing the needful, which they are aware that it is right. Some laws included in the constitutional amendment do not sit well with some states that are in support of local government autonomy and this is the reason they are against pushing the bill. This means that our local governments may not become independent soon”, he added.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) noted that undoubtedly, the nation’s constitution is a problem but the people are the bigger problem emphasising, “Even if the law is weak and faulty, what we need are elected representatives with good intentions to change such obnoxious laws; however, failure to do it will make the constitution look incapable.”
According to him, “If we can find lasting solutions to the present challenges facing the constitution, it will settle many issues affecting the progress of the country. In addition, if our people do not desist from doing evil, changing the constitution will be fruitless. Many of our elected representatives need to be humane and committed to governance.”
His words, “The local government amendment autonomy is one of the issues pushed forward among others while the case of the Value Added Tax (VAT) did not sail through although the Supreme Court is yet to give its judgment. Others include the issue of redefining indigene-ship to allow residents who have lived in a place for a period to become an automatic indigene of that place. However, in the context of Nigeria’s cultural situation, it is almost impracticable because it might not be fully implemented.
“There should be a reworking of the structures on the ground before such a proposal is made to reduce the problem of preferential treatment some regions of the country are enjoying. Some States’ assemblies will not pass the bill of local government autonomy until many issues are addressed.”
Abimbola also spoke on the major problem the nation is facing saying, “I feel the most critical thing affecting the unity of the country is that everyone is suspicious of the other. In every region, groups are suspicious of one another. The head unites the body; I feel no region should be given preferential treatment because trust is earned and not conferred.
“The president needs to unite the county irrespective of the sacrifices and be ready to move away from entitlement to equity. This same principle applies to the president and also goes to every political office holder. It is a demonstrable action and it must be seen as such. The law says justice must not only be done but must also prevail”, he added.
