As the National Assembly sets machinery in motion for a review of the 1999 Nigeria’s constitution, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has demanded that Lagos be given a special economic status in the constitution, arguing that the progress and prosperity of the country is inextricably linked to the prosperity of Lagos State.
Sanwo-Olu also demanded state police and the entrenchment of true fiscal federalism in Nigeria.
He made the demands at the opening of a two-day Senate zonal public hearing on the review of the 1999 constitution under the leadership of Oluremi Tinubu, held at Marriot Hotel, Ikeja in Lagos State. Oluremi is the senator representing Lagos Central in the Nigerian Senate.
Sanwo-Olu at the public hearing commended the National Assembly for responding to the concerns of Nigerians on the need to carry out a review of the 1999 constitution to reflect current realities.
“For us in Lagos State, the issues of state police and fiscal federalism are at the top of the priority list for us in this ongoing review process. Equally fundamental, particularly for us in Lagos State, is the issue of a special economic status for Lagos, considering our place in the national economy and the special burdens we bear by virtue of our large population and limited landmass.
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“I believe the need for this Special Status has been sufficiently articulated and justified. It suffices for me at this point to restate that this request is by no means a selfish one, but one that is actually in the interest of every Nigerian and of Nigeria as a nation.
“The progress and prosperity of Nigeria is inextricably linked to the progress and prosperity of Lagos State. A Special Status for Lagos, therefore, must be a concern not only for the people of Lagos State alone but for all Nigerians.”
Sanwo-Olu equally called on Nigerians within the zone being covered by the Senate Committee to embrace the opportunity of the zonal hearing so that their voices and opinions will count in the amended constitution that will emerge.
“This constitutional amendment process will provide Nigerians the opportunity to express their minds on the issues they want to see reflected in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, either by way of amendments to existing provisions, or entirely new provisions.
“This is another opportunity to build on the work that has been done so far. I should note that many of the issues that have been agitating the minds of the various stakeholders in the Nigerian project are already in the public domain. However, this zonal meeting provides an opportunity to articulate and express them again, in the hope that this particular process will produce favourable outcomes.
“According to the National Assembly, the primary issues on the table for this public hearing include increased participation of women and vulnerable groups in governance, local government administration and autonomy, state police, fiscal federalism and revenue allocation, judicial reforms, electoral reforms, residency and indigene-ship, constitutional roles for traditional rulers, and many more.”
Speaking at the event, representatives of several states, town, communities, associations and civil society organisations (CSOs) spoke on several issues that have to do with state creation, gender equality and special status, among others.
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