As the nation celebrates its 64th year of nationhood, Senator representing Ekiti Central and Leader of the Senate, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, has appealed to Nigerians to downplay issues that divide us.
The Leader of the Senate gave the admonition on Monday in his independence anniversary message issued in Abuja.
Senator Bamidele, who expressed concern over mutual ethnic distrust, declared that Nigerians, particularly the elite, should focus on what unites Nigeria as a corporate entity and shelve divisive tendencies.
“After 64 years of political independence and 110 years of corporate existence, it now rests upon us all to focus our energy and intellect on what majorly unites us as a federation rather than what will further divide us along our ethno-political and religious fault lines.
“At this trying time, we must be deliberate to decisively address what easily divides us and heat up our polity in order to build a resilient federation that works for all. It is important for all leaders, political or socio-cultural, religious or traditional, community or professional, to close ranks and come up with consensus on how to end heinous challenges undermining our collective prosperity, national harmony, and political stability.”
Speaking on ongoing efforts by the Parliament to review the 1999 Constitution, Senator Bamidele assured Nigerians anxious for a review of the nation’s political architecture that their grievances with the existing document would be addressed.
The statement signed by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs listed dominant issues to be addressed in the Constitution Review to include state police, adoption of diaspora voting, and entrenchment of financial autonomy for local government councils.
The statement further reads in part:” There is no better time to review our federal governance structure than now with a view to creating a federation that is more efficient, functional, and responsive.
“We have already received 37 fresh memoranda from different interests nationwide. We are also revisiting 16 constitutional amendment bills inherited from the Ninth National Assembly. Before public hearings on the constitution review take off in January 2025, we are open to more memoranda from all interests.
“Among others, we have received memoranda on the need to establish state police; adopt diaspora voting; entrench financial autonomy for local government councils; deepen independence of the judiciary; provide special seats for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly; and create the National Council of Traditional Rulers. More memoranda are welcome.
“The process for the review of the 1999 Constitution is unambiguous as enshrined in Section 9(2)(3). It is a collective approach that requires the input of not only the federal and state legislatures but also the contributions of all interests across the federation. As we proceed with the review, we promise not to leave any interest behind in the task of forging a new path for our beloved fatherland. And Nigeria shall be better for it.”
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