June 01, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives says it was yet to receive any bill seeking a regional system of government in Nigeria.
THEWILL reports that the Bill, seeking to substitute the Annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a new governance model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is already generating public reaction.
Titled “A Bill for an Act to Substitute the Annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a new governance model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, a copy of the bill obtained by THEWILL, was drafted by one Dr. Akin Fapohunda as a private bill.
The draft seeks, among other things, new extant laws to be cited as “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria New Governance Model for Nigeria Act 2024.”
Reacting swiftly to the development, Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, denied knowledge of the bill. He added that the said bill is not before the lawmakers and is not under consideration before the House.
“The Committees on Rules and Business and Constitution Review have confirmed that there is no such bill before them,” Rotimi told Punch.
Similarly, the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, said the bill is not before the committee.
“There are two routes to making presentations for constitutional amendments. One is by members proposing an amendment bill during the plenary. The second is by memoranda from individuals and groups to the Constitution Review Committee.
“Please, note that memoranda submitted should eventually come by way of bills sponsored by a member of the 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.”
Earlier, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, said the draft bill reflects personal views.
“That bill on the parliamentary system is their sponsors’ views. We have received several presentations concerning what people think should be in our constitution,” he said.
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