… just as House of Reps Deny Knowledge
The author of the viral draft bill aiming to reintroduce regional government in Nigeria, Akin Fapohunda, has detailed his motivations and the rationale behind the bill’s proposition.
In an interview with Punch, Fapohunda, who retired from the public service as a director in the Presidency, cited President Bola Tinubu’s restoration of the old national anthem as a precedent, suggesting that returning to regional governance is a step toward embracing Nigeria’s historical roots.
“The President this week returned us to the old national anthem. At Independence, Nigeria embraced a regional system of government. So, I felt we could also revisit the past and return to regionalism,” he stated.
Fapohunda clarified that the document currently circulating is merely a draft, and he plans to present it to his constituency’s representative in the House of Representatives, hoping it will be accepted and formally adopted.
“If the draft is accepted, a proper drafting of the bill can then be done,” he explained.
Despite his background in Agricultural Science and a professional focus on Information and Communication Technology, Fapohunda has substantial experience in constitution drafting. He emphasized his commitment to engaging Nigerians in a discussion about the proposal.
“I have done a preliminary draft for Nigerians to ponder over. Next week, I will be seeing my representative in the House of Representatives. We hope that senators and House members can embrace this modest proposal for a change,”
“If this is acceptable, we can then sit down and do a proper drafting of the bill.” – he said.
However, the House of Representatives has denied any knowledge of the draft Bill Titled ‘A Bill for an Act to substitute the annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with new governance model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ stating that it has gained traction on social media but lacks formal recognition in the legislative process.
The House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, both confirmed that the Bill had not been submitted to the relevant committees.
Rotimi stated, “The Committees on Rules and Business and Constitution Review have confirmed that there is no such Bill before them.” Waive added, “There are two routes to making presentations for constitutional amendments: by Honourable members proposing an amendment bill during plenary or by memoranda from individuals and groups to the Constitution Review Committee. On this specific memo (draft bill) under reference, I doubt if it has come before the Rules and Business Committee for listing. I speak as chairman of the committee.”
Fapohunda remains optimistic about the proposal’s prospects and its potential to foster a constructive national discourse on Nigeria’s governance structure.
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