Nigeria Must Return To Regionalism, Parliamentary System Of Government – TRG

*Holds two-day Symposium in Enugu,

By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan

A non-governmental organization, The Rebirth Group (TRG) at the weekend declared that Nigeria presently need to return to regionalism, parliamentary system of government .

TRG made the call in a communique issued at end of its two-day Symposium held at Predia Hotel, Ebeato, Enugu, Enugu State
signed by Comrade Jare Ajayi, Mr. D. I. Y. Nweze and Mr. Olaolu Agbogunloko during the two-day Symposium that held at Predia Hotel, Ebeato, Enugu, Enugu State

According to the non governmental organization, in the restructuring, 8 regions should be created in the country and that the country should return to the parliamentary system.

The communique stressed that the regional system will vests self-determination in the indigenous people of a given area without necessarily compromising the national spirit of the country.

It maintained that devolution of power, state police, fiscal federalism etc. are components of the restructuring and regionalism that were recommended.

” For Nigeria to be sustainable as a nation, it must be restructured without further delay and that the country would be better served if it goes regional . Eight regions were recommended for the nation”, it said.

TRG added, ” In view of the cost implications of running presidential system and its tendency to encourage corruption, the Symposium is advocating a return to Parliamentary System of Government as was done before independence and in the First Republic.”

” The fears in certain quarters that Restructuring Nigeria into Regions will lead to the abrogation of states that we have presently was allayed by the participants”.

TRG stressed “The states would be part of the federating units to make the country to be known as United Regions of Nigeria (URN) or any other nomenclature that we find convenient. Each Region is to have its own Constitution and be autonomous”.

” This is to ensure that they are in a proper position to operationalize self-determination. The restructuring must be such that the community, state and local government from where certain resources come should have 70 per cent of the proceeds of the resources while 30 per cent goes to the center”.

It stated that participants suggested the setting up of a Restructuring or Rebirth Commission to address the wounds inflicted on various nationalities in Nigeria with a view to genuinely healing them. It can be called a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission”.

The communique stressed that a case was also made for women, people with disabilities and youths to be encouraged and be given more opportunities for greater participation in the affairs of the State, Region or Local Government to which belong.

TRG at the symposium further resolved that specific roles be constitutionally assigned to Traditional Rulers in the regions of the country, if they so desire, so as to encourage them to take more active part in the affairs of their people and of the nation.