Abuja — The Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday set the stage for the restructuring of the country by approving immediate and full implementation of the recommendations contained in the 2014 National Conference Report.
Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, disclosed this to newsmen after the FEC meeting.
The move was immediately ridiculed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, as an act of desperation by the administration bent on winning votes by any means just two weeks before the election.
The APC said the implementation of the report was practically impracticable given constitutional amendments required.
Duke, who was joined by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said the cabinet members hailed the report and commended delegates to the conference for a job well done.
Among the recommendations of the National Conference were the adoption of regional governments, delisting of the 774 local governments from the constitution, establishment of state police, abolition of state independent electoral commissions, SIECs among others.
Expatiating on the decision of the council, Anyim noted that the council specifically approved the modalities for implementation of the report.
Members of the National Conference did not only make recommendations but also set out modalities for the implementation of the report.
Anyim noted that the approval of the report by FEC was the “first of concrete steps” towards implementation of the confab report, just as has been demanded and expected by Nigerians.
Modalities of implementation
Anyim further explained that the modalities of implementation will include the Justice Minister compiling the recommendations of the report that require constitutional amendments and forwarding same to the National Assembly, which will in turn work with state assemblies to effect the implementation.
The recommendations that deal with just policy matters will be referred to the relevant ministries and departments of the Federal Government as well as state and local governments for appropriate implementation.
It’s not campaign gimmick —Anyim
The SGF dismissed insinuations that the timing of the FEC approval was politically motivated since the general elections are due in two weeks.
He insisted that Jonathan had from day one been consistent in his resolve to implement the report, saying the approval by FEC could not be regarded as a campaign gimmick or a result of pressure mounted on him.
He said: “It is not an overnight thing but the journey has started. Certainly, there is no issue of pressure; he is keeping to his promise.”
It’s an act of desperation
APC spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, however, described the decision as an act of desperation by a government, he said, would do anything to win votes.
“They are free to do so. They believe that Nigerians are stupid. Have they made the report public? They are getting so desperate and so obsessed with winning. That is what they could have done two or three years ago, they are now rushing to do just two weeks to election.
“It is fraudulent and an act of desperation because you cannot implement these constitutional reforms that involve two-thirds of the two houses of the National Assembly and the majority of 24 state Houses of Assembly just two weeks to the election?”
Highlights of the report
*Delisting of the 774 local governments from the Constitution, turning Nigeria into a two-tier federation;
*Introduction of regional governments; abolition of State Independent Electoral Commissions, SIECs;
lState police;
*Creation of 18 additional states;
*Three years guaranteed tenure for local governments;
*Mayoral status for Abuja;
*Removal of immunity for president and governors.
Others are:
*Five per cent of Consolidated Revenue Fund to be used for exploration of solid minerals;
*Each state to have its constitution;
*Conclusion of all electoral petitions before the inauguration of elective office holders;
*Diaspora voting;
*Federal and state governments to stop sponsorship of pilgrims;
*Legislators to lose seats on defection from political parties on whose platform they won election;
*Retention of minimum of 13% as derivation proceeds and Onshore/Offshore dichotomy abolished in the interpretation of oil revenue.(Vanguard)
