Nigerian senators are divided over the proposal to return to a regional system of government. While Southern senators advocate for the change, citing economic benefits and improved security, their Northern counterparts strongly oppose it. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele clarified that regionalism is not part of the current constitutional review.
At a recent Senate retreat on amending the 1999 Constitution, Nigerian senators clashed over a proposal to return to a regional government system. Southern senators expressed support, arguing it would boost the economy and improve security.
In contrast, Northern senators, like Abdul Ningi from Bauchi, opposed it, citing past failures under regionalism during the First Republic. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele clarified that regionalism was not part of the ongoing constitutional review. Senator Sani Musa explained that establishing zonal development commissions should not be confused with regionalism.
Meanwhile, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari of Oyo North supported regionalism, recalling the effective resource management of regions in the past, like the North's groundnut pyramids and the South West’s cocoa. Despite the debate, Bamidele emphasized that moving to a regional system would require political consensus, beyond mere legislative action.
