Opeyemi Bamidele: We must create a federation that is efficient, responsive

Opeyemi Bamidele, majority leader of the senate, says Nigeria must create a federation that is efficient and responsive.

In a statement on Monday to commemorate the country’s 64th Independence Day anniversary, Bamidele said to build a resilient federation, divisive subjects have to be avoided.

The senate leader said the country is undergoing a socio-economic and political transformation which would yield results soon.

“After 64 years of political independence and 110 years of corporate existence, the onus 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 ethnopolitical and religious faultlines,” he said.

“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.

“Such a united front has now become imperative at this auspicious time when the review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is underway at the national assembly.

“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.”

Bamidele said the national assembly is revisiting 16 constitution alteration bills inherited from the ninth national assembly.

“Before public hearings on the constitution review take off January 2025, we are open to more memoranda from all interests,” he said.

“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 just the federal and state legislature, but also the contributions of all interests across the federation.”

The Ekiti senator said everyone would be carried along during the constitution review process.