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Proposal On Regional Government In Nigeria To Be Sent To President Tinubu

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President Bola Ahmad Tinubu

 

A bill proposing a return to the regional system of government for Nigeria will be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu next week.

Speaking with newsmen the drafter of the private bill, Dr Akin Fapohunda, who had earlier hinted of his intent to interface with members of the National Assembly ahead of the transmission of the bill to the parliament, said he had chosen to send the proposed law to President Tinubu, who may in turn present same to the parliament as executive bill.

The bill proposing a return to regional government in Nigeria is before the National Assembly and is expected to be passed into law before October 1, 2024.

Part of the draft Bill seen by SaharaReporters on Friday partly read: “PART I – Preliminaries: 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 for a change to a Constitution based on Federal/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 constitutes 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.

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“Whereas the 1999 Constitution as amended is a schedule of a military decree now deemed to be an Act of the National Assembly for which the National Assembly have the powers to amend and/or abrogate as expedient.

“Whereas the National Assembly where so necessary and expedient can invoke the doctrine of necessity to resolve any point of law for the good governance of the country Nigeria.”

On PART 11 – Substitution Clause, the drafters proposed that the National Assembly shall invoke its inherent powers to expunge the schedule attached to decree 24 of 1999 often referred to as 1999 Constitution as amended from the decree, which “is now deemed to be an Act of the National Assembly to which the National Assembly have the powers to so do and replace same with a new governance model for Nigeria effective not later than October 1, 2024.”

“This amendment is subject to a yes or no vote in a Referendum by the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” it proposed.

On governance structure under PART III – Stipulations for Federal Administration, the sponsors proposed that: “(1) Nigeria shall be a Federation comprising of Regional Territories and a Federal Capital Territory and shall be a Republic to be known by the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“(2) The territorial jurisdiction of Nigeria shall comprise the territory of the Regional members of the Federation and its boundaries shall be as determined by international agreements

“3.2 Basis of the Federation: “(1) Every Ethnic Nationality and People in Nigeria has an unconditional right to self-determination within here delineated territories.

“(2) The sovereignty, powers and authority to formulate the articles of association towards any reform of the Central Federal Government of Nigeria, at any other time shall lie jointly and severally with all the ethnic nationalities occupying their respective territories.

“(3) Every Ethnic Nationality and People in Nigeria has the right to a full measure of self-government which includes the right to establish institutions of government in the territory that it inhabits and to equitable representation in the Federal and Regional Governments.

“(4) A “Ethnic Nationality or People” for the purpose of this Constitution, is a group of people who have or share large measure of a common culture or similar customs, mutual intelligibility of language, belief in a common or related identities, a common psychological make-up, and who inhabit.”

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Stop Dragging NBA into Kano Emirate Tussle – Barrister Nafisa Replies Gandu

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The Chairperson of the Northern Women Lawyers Congress Barrister Nafisa Abba has called on Badamasi Sulaiman Gandu to stop dragging the Nigeria Bar Association into the State Emirate Tussle which is before the court of law.

It would be recalled that the lawyer has advised Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II to tender his statement to the Police in regards to the sallah durbar incident that led to the lost of lives, reminding the Emir that he is not above the law.

But in a response, Badamasi Gandu, a lawyer, described the call as unprofessional and unbecoming of a member of the Kano Bar.

” I was amazed by the response of my colleague Badamasi Sulaiman Gandu, it’s so sad that a lawyer like him would go so low like this; lawyers are known for always being comprehensive to any matter before making their opinion.

As the Chairperson of Northern Women Lawyers Congress, we have the right to issue a statement, it’s our constitutional responsibility, we didn’t do that on behalf of the Nigerian Bar Association; it’s ridiculous that Badamasi is bringing NBA into the matter.

All we are saying is for Emir and his supporters to stop using faceless organisations on this matter.

Like I did, I wrote my name, and the organisation I’m representing is not a pseudonym.

Badamasi Gandu has taken side on the matter. Everyone knows that he is a kwankwasiyya supporter but just hiding under human rights activism.

It’s good that you have shown the world your true colour. ” She said.

The lawyer further maintains her stands that the Emir is not above the law while asking him to tender his statement before the police for the interest of peace and the rule of law.

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Court Halts Federal Government’s Kano-Niger Railway Project Over Land Dispute

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The Kano State High Court has issued a restraining order against the Federal Government, halting the continuation of the ongoing railway project from Kano to Daura and onward to the Niger Republic, on land belonging to residents of the Kuyan Ta Inna community.

The court, presided over by Justice Usman Na Abba, ruled that any such construction must follow due legal process, including consultation with landowners and the provision of adequate compensation

Nigerian Tracker reports that the injunction came in response to a suit filed by the Kano Property Agent Development Association (KAFADA), which represents affected landowners in the area.

The suit names the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Ministry of Transport, and the compensation consultant as defendants, accusing them of attempting to issue what it describes as “incommensurable” compensation to property owners.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Usman Baito, stated that the court’s ruling affirms that moving forward with the railway project on community land without following appropriate legal procedures would constitute a breach of the Nigerian Constitution.

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Baito added that the court emphasized the necessity of thorough consultation, transparency, and equitable compensation before any land can be lawfully acquired for such a major project.

“The judgment reinforces the rights of the Kuyan Ta Inna residents,” Baito said. “Any attempt to sidestep these procedures is not only unlawful but a direct violation of the constitutional rights of the people.”

The Chairman of KAFADA, Isa Jibrin Isa, acknowledged the community’s willingness to cooperate with the government.

He noted that the property owners are not opposed to the railway development but are insisting that all actions must be carried out within the bounds of the law.

“We are open to dialogue and ready to sign a compensation agreement,” Isa said, “but only if it is based on fair valuation and in line with legal provisions. Our people deserve justice, not exploitation.”

Efforts to reach representatives of the Federal Government or the project contractor were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

 

 

 

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Kano Durbar: Lawyers accuse FG Of moves To discredit Emir Sanusi

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A group of Kano-based human rights lawyers has alleged that Federal Government political plot against Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II necessitated the cancellation of Sallah durbar festivities across Kano emirates.

In a strongly worded petition submitted to Kano State Commissioner of Police, the National Forum of Kano Indigene Lawyers also alleged that security alert raised as justification for imposing the ban lacked merit and may be a veiled move to curtail the influence of the reinstated Emir of Kano.

The police prohibited the UNESCO certified Kano cultural status as intangible heritage of humanity, after sensing security breach even when the 15th emir Aminu Ado Bayero cancelled his planned paralleled Durbar.

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Addressing journalists shortly after submitting their letter to the police commissioner, leader of the lawyers, Barrister Usman Imam Tudun Wazirchi insisted the ban was unnecessary.

Tudun Wazirchi said the so-called security threat has no substantial basis, claiming that “If Durbars were allowed to hold in high-risk states like Borno, Katsina, and Zamfara, why not Kano?

“Even during Boko Haram’s peak, such total bans were not implemented,” the lawyers emphasized.

The lawyers accused “unpatriotic citizens” and political actors of instigating fears in the minds of peaceful residents simply to prevent the cultural pageantry associated with Emir Sanusi’s return to palace. They argued that the ban not only infringes on cultural rights but also represents a broader attack on constitutional freedoms.

Referring to the recent Court of Appeal judgment that upheld Sanusi’s position, the letter warned against using law enforcement to carry out political persecution.

The lawyers also addressed their concerns to international bodies, including the UN, EU, and African Union, signaling a desire to draw global attention to what they called “an orchestrated attack on Kano’s heritage and legitimate royal leadership.”

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