By Naomi Sharang
An interest group, Concerned Citizens Assembly, has called for restructuring of Nigeria into 17 autonomous federated regions, with substantial powers devolved from the Federal Government to the regions.
The group made the call in a communiqué issued on Wednesday at the conclusion of a three-day deliberation on the restructuring of Nigeria held in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by Citizens Rebirth and Awareness Initiative (C-RAIN).
The group, in the communique read by the Convener of the Assembly, Deacon Owolabi Oladejo, said the proposed restructuring would promote peace, security, economic prosperity, accountability and national cohesion through a federal system based on consent, autonomy and shared constitutional responsibilities.
It listed the the proposed 17 autonomous regions to include Akwa Ibom, Ane Igala, Apa-Agba, Bendel, Caliphate, Cross River, Gurara, Hausa, Igbo, Ijaw, Kanem, Lower Benue, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Savannah and Yoruba.
The Assembly said the Plateau-Gurara proposal was split into Plateau and Gurara regions, while the application for Apa-Agba region was approved, bringing the number of proposed regions to 17.
It, however, acknowledged that issues concerning territorial boundaries, competing regional claims and the inclusion or exclusion of some communities remained unresolved.
According to the communiqué, such matters should be addressed through objective, transparent and evidence-based processes, taking into account historical, cultural, geographical, economic, administrative and security considerations.
It said where territorial disputes could not be resolved through negotiation and objective boundary-delineation mechanisms, affected communities should decide through referendums.
The Assembly said it adopted the principle that constituent regions should operate as autonomous entities within a united Nigerian federation, with substantial authority over their internal affairs.
Part of its proposal also was that the Federal Government should exercise only clearly defined and enumerated powers, including foreign affairs, customs, immigration, emigration, national economy, currency and the Central Bank, national defence and security.
The summit further proposed the abolition of the concurrent legislative list, with all other powers residing with the regions.
On fiscal federalism, the Assembly proposed that regions should retain 80 per cent of revenues generated within their territories and contribute 20 per cent to the centre.
It said the arrangement would promote accountability, productivity, healthy competition, development and responsible management of public resources.
The Assembly also called for regional policing and internal public safety to become the responsibility of autonomous regions, while national defence, territorial integrity and external security should remain federal responsibilities.
It proposed that each autonomous region should have its own regional constitution adopted through a legitimate and participatory process and subject to the federal constitution.
The summit emphasised the protection of minorities, saying regional autonomy should not become a basis for dominance or discrimination against minority communities.
It called for regional constitutions to guarantee equality before the law, protection of cultural and linguistic identities, equitable political representation, access to public services and judicial remedies against violations of protected rights.
The Assembly also agreed to adopt Articles of Federation to be subscribed to by each federated region, stressing that the proposed restructuring was not intended to disintegrate Nigeria.(NAN)
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq