Northern governors, on Friday, vehemently opposed the inclusion of state police and removal of the immunity clause from the Nigerian Constitution currently being proposed for another amendment. Rising from an emergency meeting under the aegis of Northern Governors’ Forum [NGF], they also expressed their total objection to any form of tenure elongation for the president and governors.

Their declaration at the end of the five-hour meeting, held at the Niger Government House in the federal capital, came amid the frenzied campaigns in certain quarters across the country, on issues for possible consideration under the amendment by the National Assembly.

While expressing their disgust over the call for the removal of immunity clause for serving chief executives, they urged the National Assembly not to tamper with the clause as contained in Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution.

But, they canvassed for more devolution of powers to states and the reversion of on-shore/off-shore dichotomy, just as the members expressed support for the existing geo-political zones as a means of addressing political matters among the component units of the federation, without necessarily enshrining the engagement in the constitution.

On the devolution of more powers to states, the governors advocated an amendment of the Revenue Allocation Formula in favour of states and local governments, noting that the provisions of Section 44 (3) on Fiscal Federalism, as they stand in the constitution, should be preserved in favour of equity and fairness.

On derivation, they noted, “While the Forum noted that derivation should not be interpreted restrictively and not limited to natural resources, it resolved to amend section 162 (1) such that an office of the Comptroller of the Federation Account be established distinct from the office of the Accountant General of the Federal Government.

“Also the need for an amendment of section 32 of the Third Schedule, Part I was recommended, whereby the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFC) be empowered to monitor and ensure that all revenues accruing to the Federation Account are paid into it.”

The governors canvassed that each state should be allowed to negotiate its own minimum wage, an indication that they were opposed to the national minimum wage system, which had started creating crises in some states.

Against this background, they advocated an amendment of the Labour Allied and Company laws in Nigeria.

In another development, the governors  have resolved to tackle the problem of insecurity currently  bedeviling some northern states headlong by mapping out strategies to that effect.

They promised to work in concert henceforth to end terrorism in the  region and pursue programmes and projects aimed at ending the problem.

To this end, the governors set up a committee,  members of which  will be  prominent leaders and the intelligentia from the North to study the root causes of problem of insecurity in the North, worsened by activities of terrorists and to proffer workable solutions to the menace within 90 days.

They called for synergy among all security agencies in taming the menace, agreeing that lack of viable revenue profile in the northern states for creation of employment for the youths had been the bane of efforts by the  region to progress over the years.

The governors laid emphasis on  family value system as a panacea for combating youth’s restiveness, an indication that the northern governors would henceforth seek avenues for instituting correct family value system in the northern region.

The almajiri system of education, currently gaining popularity in the North, also assumed frontline prominence in the agenda of the governors who resolved to engage resource persons on the new education system with a view to getting the correct recommendation on proper implementation across all northern states.

Comments (1)

Show/hide comments

How Selfish
written by zionprince, July 30, 2012

This is very interesting, now we know why the nation is not moving forward. Look at all the arguments of our excellencies, our leaders in whom we commited the destiny of our children and the future of the nation.

Our governors want more money with no room for accountability, why are we afraid of the removal of the immunity clause. Tell me which progressive democracy has the immunity clause. It is purely a military tool to protect dubious dictators, Why should we keep it? What purpose or good has it ever served? I still maintain that you are a bunch of rouges who meant no good for the nation. Your wish will not be granted. Get it straight now you will render account.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Show/hide comment form

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment