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National Assembly Agrees To Restructure Nigeria

Ike Ekweremadu

The National Assembly, yesterday, said Nigeria would be restructured.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who briefed reporters at a retreat in Lagos for the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said some of the contentious issues would be reviewed to meet the yearnings of the people.

Ekweremadu said the 1999 constitution needed reforms to enhance the development of the country, saying railway would no longer be in the exclusive list.

He said: “We have broken all the issues into specific bills. Between yesterday and today we have looked at about 23 separate bills with separate issues. The idea is to ensure that by the time we vote, each of them succeed or fail on its own when we conclude the work and send it to the house to approve.

“We will collate and ensure that the provisions of the constitution have been fulfilled regarding the alteration and we will send it to the president for his assent. And the president will decide which one to assent or not to assent.

“The implication, therefore, is that if he assents to some, then those ones become altered parts of the constitution. And the one he refuses to give assent, then we might decide whether to override the veto. So, we want each of them to have a separate life on its own. And this is based on our own experience in the last exercise where everything was in one single bill and when the president withheld his assent, all of them collapsed.

“This is just an improvement on what we did last time. It is something we innovated based on our experience in the last exercise.

“Now, we have gone through some specific issues like the time timeframe within which a governor or president will be able to assent to a bill. If you look at our constitution, I think Section 58, if you pass a bill, you need to send it to the president for his assent and he has to assent to it within 30 days.”

Ekweremadu explained that it was imperative for the Federal Government to shed some of its powers.

His words:

“We also tried to withdraw some powers from the exclusive list to the concurrent list. You know we have been talking about the restructuring of Nigeria, one of the components of restructuring is that they are saying that there is too much power in the hands of the federal government and we need to strip some of them from the federal government.

“What we have done is to look at the nitty gritty issues where some of the items which they actually needed will be removed from the exclusive list to the concurrent list where the federal and the states can make laws regarding some of those items.

“And where there is conflict, the laws of the national assembly will prevail. So, things like railways will have to be moved to the concurrent list, the idea is that state can build railways within their states and then a couple of states can even decide to build railways across their states. The federal government can also be building railways across the country and make policy around it.”

He noted that the country would continue to have minimum standards for wages in both the public and private sectors.

“There should be minimum wage for both the public sector and private sector, that is to say that if it is N5000 don’t pay any person less than N5000 but it can be increased, that is to say if Lagos has more money it can pay beyond the minimum wage. All those who don’t have money cannot pay below the minimum wage no matter how poor they are. So, in that way, we have a minimum standards for workers in Nigeria.

“We also looked at the removal of the Joint local government account. The challenge there has been how do you take care of the issues of teachers’ salaries because it is from that joint local government state account that primary school teachers’ salaries are paid. So, we wanted to be sure that if we remove the joint local government- state account we will not jeopardise the payment of teacher salaries.

“So that is a very contentious issue and we said we have to do further consultation with the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and other stakeholders before we can take a decision on that to be sure that we don’t create more problems when we are trying to solve and existing problem.

“We believe we have done sufficient work. This is an incremental approach that we have adopted in the amendment of the constitution. So, what we are saying therefore is that after we have finished with this, if we still have more time before election issues come up, otherwise, maybe the next assembly will decide what to do”.

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89 Comments

89 Comments

  1. Obi Andrew

    July 17, 2017 at 12:23 pm

    nothing like restructuring all we want is Biafra

  2. Abdulaziz Mohammed

    July 17, 2017 at 11:22 am

    just devide the country in to two

  3. David Aguwa

    July 17, 2017 at 11:21 am

    What is left for restructuring? Everthing is gone. We need to part now

  4. Chukwuma Harrison Nkemjika

    July 17, 2017 at 10:41 am

    nonsense, dey have not told us wat they mean by restructuring. They are deceivers please don’t mind dem.

  5. Jude Chukwuji

    July 17, 2017 at 10:40 am

    Na Today?

  6. James Ogbodu

    July 17, 2017 at 10:22 am

    Group of jesters,sharing our oil money from Niger delta.

  7. Abubakar Murtala

    July 17, 2017 at 10:09 am

    Rubbish story

  8. Williams Frank

    July 17, 2017 at 10:03 am

    how can i contact you

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    July 17, 2017 at 9:55 am

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  10. Asualor Okwy Nelson

    July 17, 2017 at 5:23 am

    All Hail Biafra or death.fuck d zoo

  11. Obinna Kingsley

    July 17, 2017 at 12:09 am

    on who’s behalf ??? mad looters everywhere.

  12. Nwosu Anthony

    July 16, 2017 at 8:33 pm

    all we need is Biafra

  13. Ezeoye Kelvin Maduka

    July 16, 2017 at 8:08 pm

    Bullshit

  14. Tiv Joshua

    July 16, 2017 at 8:04 pm

    Hmmmmmm!

  15. Lawrence Stephen Oleh

    July 16, 2017 at 7:31 pm

    no no

  16. Julie Nlemoha Onyeledo

    July 16, 2017 at 7:08 pm

    It’s referendum we want not restructuring

  17. Sunny Okonofua

    July 16, 2017 at 7:01 pm

    THEY CANOT,THEY ARE PART OF WHAT SHOULD BE RE STRUCTURED.

  18. Emeka Elvis

    July 16, 2017 at 6:11 pm

    Referendum not restructuring

  19. Charles Law

    July 16, 2017 at 6:11 pm

    Arewa Investment Nigeria Plc

  20. Citizen Frank Marcelo

    July 16, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    Lol,ds people self

  21. Mustapha Ahmad

    July 16, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    Good to hear but the question is what mode of restructuring? Because different people have different notions of their own meaning of restructuring.

    • Chukwuma Obizzy

      July 17, 2017 at 7:43 am

      we will have Six geo political states, they will have to produce and develop their Zone. meaning the northerners will be the ones developing their zones and not Niger delta developing the north.

  22. Oladokun Emmanuel Olujare

    July 16, 2017 at 6:06 pm

    Good.

  23. Paul Jumbo

    July 16, 2017 at 6:02 pm

    better

  24. Olasunkanmi Mie

    July 16, 2017 at 5:59 pm

    thank god

  25. James Benson Ethnan

    July 16, 2017 at 5:58 pm

    Hope so.

  26. Dan Awgu

    July 16, 2017 at 12:32 pm

    Too late

  27. Obai Cletus Anadi

    July 16, 2017 at 12:31 pm

    So what about the national conference report?

  28. Ajah Egeh

    July 16, 2017 at 12:28 pm

    Too late

  29. Princechinedu Peters

    July 16, 2017 at 12:18 pm

    Good for them that will remain in nigeria but as for we biafrans we are goin home. No referendum no election in biafra land period

  30. Malachi Chibuzo Godfirst

    July 16, 2017 at 12:14 pm

    Two late now, we need Biafra to stay on our own period

  31. Kayode Niyi

    July 16, 2017 at 11:59 am

    Fake news

  32. Chika Egwudike

    July 16, 2017 at 11:59 am

    I think is too late now

  33. Chinweike Eze

    July 16, 2017 at 11:53 am

    Biafra or eliminate niger

  34. Ogbebe Michael Ogbebe

    July 16, 2017 at 11:46 am

    biafra or noting

  35. Oba King

    July 16, 2017 at 11:42 am

    But we refuse

  36. Ibemene Peter

    July 16, 2017 at 11:31 am

    Referendum we want

  37. Josaphat Agba

    July 16, 2017 at 11:26 am

    Isiooooooo, up Biafra

  38. Gift Aaron

    July 16, 2017 at 11:06 am

    On Referendum and Biafra we stand. No to restructure.

  39. Abuchi Hyman

    July 16, 2017 at 10:49 am

    Too late. In Biafra we stand.

  40. Bright Edwin

    July 16, 2017 at 10:28 am

    The so called national assembly can agree on anything they like, but sorry we biafrans are not interested in their agreement is either we restore Biafra through referendum or nothing. Thunder will fire those criminal clamoring for restructuring.

  41. Henry-Paloka Adimonye

    July 16, 2017 at 10:11 am

    Restructure is an english word, my question now is, what and what are we going to restructure? For that is where the problem and disagreement lies.

  42. Uchechukwu Ezihe

    July 16, 2017 at 10:10 am

    Restructure with criminals and animals with Islamic terrorist Zoo call Nigeria

  43. Maduabuchi Moses

    July 16, 2017 at 10:09 am

    Because of nnamdi kanu Nigeria government wants to do restructuring

  44. Jerom Chisom Paul

    July 16, 2017 at 10:09 am

    Biafra independent is eminent.

  45. Obyno Emeka

    July 16, 2017 at 9:52 am

    They bizness

  46. Ogunyemi Stonecode

    July 16, 2017 at 9:51 am

    resttruction or restructure,less considered give ur good governor

  47. De Don Govanor

    July 16, 2017 at 9:50 am

    BIAFRA OR EVERY LIVING SOUL IN NIGERIA DIES

  48. Ibekwe Jude

    July 16, 2017 at 9:47 am

    Hahaha,it will happen one day.the same national house of assembly will some day amend the zoo constitution for referendum

  49. Kelvin Orite Ikiogha

    July 16, 2017 at 9:32 am

    good for them

  50. Christian Awoke

    July 16, 2017 at 9:19 am

    BIG LIARS WE NEED BIAFRIA UNDERMUST BIAFRIA IS MUST NOBODY CAN STOP BIAFRIA NIGERIA MUST GO PLS NIGERIA GO WE NO NEED NIGERIA

  51. Moses Ikechukwu

    July 16, 2017 at 9:14 am

    Biafra or death

  52. Agu Udo

    July 16, 2017 at 9:12 am

    NASS can not dictate for us because power belongs to us

  53. Felix Ndu

    July 16, 2017 at 9:08 am

    let the constitution be amended for Nigerians all we care for is nothing but referendum, if Nigeria care let their constitution be it is their business

  54. Stanley Johnmartin

    July 16, 2017 at 9:04 am

    Ndi Ara,what are you restructuring????? Criminals

  55. Donald Ziggy Njoku

    July 16, 2017 at 8:53 am

    They are crazy

  56. Israel Ometan

    July 16, 2017 at 8:53 am

    Hey Guys, Is The Biafra Land Upto A Zoo Yet Or Its Still A Domestic Animal Gathering?

  57. Chris Igwe

    July 16, 2017 at 8:52 am

    National thiefs all hail Biafra

  58. Israel Ometan

    July 16, 2017 at 8:51 am

    Hey Guys, Is The Biafra Land Upto A Zoo Yet Or Its Still A Domestic Animal Gathering?

  59. Christopher Okei

    July 16, 2017 at 8:50 am

    Just allow Biafra to be on their own , period.

  60. Stella Obilo

    July 16, 2017 at 8:49 am

    Na today

  61. Henry Ndubuisi Ogbu

    July 16, 2017 at 8:45 am

    national criminals by the time ipob finish with nigeria you will agree that power belongs to the people’s

  62. Kingsley Amuji

    July 16, 2017 at 8:43 am

    Biafra and nothing but Biafra

  63. Mishael Chikwueokpala

    July 16, 2017 at 8:40 am

    That should be for the Zoological republic of Nigeria as for we Biafrans and Biafra it is either referendum or nothing. All hail Biafra

  64. Divine Success Peter

    July 16, 2017 at 8:35 am

    National assembly gang of fraud stars. Budget padders! If Nigeria must be restructured, it must be purely resource control, if not give us referendum, let Biafra go!!!

  65. Mazi Noble Izuakolam Chinyere

    July 16, 2017 at 8:30 am

    #westandforBiafra#

  66. Aneke Thaddeus Okechukwu

    July 16, 2017 at 8:28 am

    As if they have a choice. Yet we insist on secession. We can restructure your niZOOria after we might have gone. Animals

  67. Chibuike Clinton Onebunne

    July 16, 2017 at 8:26 am

    4 there pocket

  68. Innocent Obinna

    July 16, 2017 at 8:26 am

    Biafra We Want

  69. Ugwu Brendan Onyebuchi

    July 16, 2017 at 8:20 am

    The feare of Nnamudi Kanu and IPOB is the beginning of wisdom in Africa at large,what we want is biafra because oil and water dosnt mix together.

  70. Isa Imodagbe

    July 16, 2017 at 8:16 am

    If the Referendum on Biafra kanu and his gangs are yearning for is conducted today, Kanu’s team would definitely be defeated. No politician enjoying massive currency from the federal government would want to abandon their comfort zone to the unknown! I hereby demand that kanu and IPOB should support all efforts towards restructuring so as to address the marginalization of Ndigbo who has only produced a ceremonial president since Nigeria Independence, unlike the two other major tribes!

  71. Ikemefuna Akakanma

    July 16, 2017 at 8:15 am

    Biafrans don’t need it, all we youths need now is Biafra referendum

  72. Obasi C. Jeremiah

    July 16, 2017 at 8:13 am

    What we need is Biafra not restructuring.

  73. Emmanuel Nze Ifechukwu

    July 16, 2017 at 8:11 am

    This is total rubbish and who are this money mongers politician deceiving ? Hmm! I’m having a feeling that our politicians don’t know what is true federalism or have they come up with another deceit game.. This people are afraid to lose power and money they have been looting.

  74. Gibson Okey Okoli

    July 16, 2017 at 8:10 am

    Biafra!!!

  75. Egwu Stanley

    July 16, 2017 at 8:09 am

    What we need is Biafra not restructuring

  76. Cee Cee Ibezym

    July 16, 2017 at 8:08 am

    How does it concern Biafra.is allowed to restructure Nigeria and let Biafra be

  77. Prince Leonard Anyaogu

    July 16, 2017 at 8:08 am

    Get lost you idiot, we want nothing but referendum.

  78. Zahradeen Skinny

    July 16, 2017 at 8:07 am

    set of greedy senseless and useless people

  79. Zahradeen Skinny

    July 16, 2017 at 8:05 am

    goat wich national assembly

  80. Saviour Iwu

    July 16, 2017 at 8:04 am

    Referendom we want

  81. Arinze Solomon Picofarad

    July 16, 2017 at 8:03 am

    what we need is Biafra and nothing else

  82. Arinze Solomon Picofarad

    July 16, 2017 at 8:02 am

  83. Emfresh Ibeagwa

    July 16, 2017 at 8:00 am

    Biafra we stand

  84. Ifeanyichukwu Madunagu Frank

    July 16, 2017 at 7:57 am

    Biafrans demand referendum not restructure of Niazooria gangsters club of criminals we can’t take anything less than biafra nation

  85. مشرف رجل

    July 16, 2017 at 7:55 am

    Useless country the fear of biafra put buhari is comma

  86. Ibrahim Abdulhamid

    July 16, 2017 at 7:52 am

    To start the process rather because the national assembly alone cannot amend the constitution.

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