How Buhari achieved restructuring through National Assembly – BMO

The President Muhammadu Buhari administration has proved that restructuring can be done within the ambit of the National Assembly by signing four bills on devolution of powers into law.

According to the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), the recent signing into law of four Bills that dealt with with devolution of power is proof enough that President Buhari was right in his assertion that the legislative body was the right place to go for issues on restructuring.

The group said in a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke that this has effectively shot down the antics of politicians who use restructuring as a campaign gimmick every election year.

“In one day, President Muhammadu Buhari has shown all Nigerians that devolution of power or what some people call restructuring can be done without disrupting existing democratic institutions or setting up a national conference.

“By signing 16 constitution amendment Bills including four centred on devolving powers to States without convoking a Sovereign National Conference, Buhari has proved that he was right all along when he argued that only the National Assembly can tackle issues dealing with devolution, restructuring or true federalism.

“We can easily recall how within his first two years in office, the President had directed restructuring agitators to the national assembly as a result of his belief in due process.

“His argument then was that devolution of powers involved constitutional amendments and that anyone with specific demands on the matter should forward them to the National Assembly.

“And today we invite Nigerians to note how he has been proved right with four devolution of power Bills that scaled through all necessary constitutional amendment processes and have now been signed into law.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Bill that grants all 36 States the right to generate electricity and the one that moves railway from the Exclusive Legislative List to the concurrent list are game changers as far as restructuring is concerned.

“We hope that the newly elected governors would use the Bills as a platform to put their States on a path of development”, the statement added.

BMO also described the financial autonomy bill as President Buhari’s legacy for posterity.

“This is one Bill that speaks to the President’s commitment to the independence of the legislature and judiciary at States level, which he first tried to push in 2020 through an Executive Order.

“It was one move that was meant to guarantee proper checks and balances as well as ensure financial independence of the two arms of governments.

“We still remember how some governors opposed that move but later clarified that they wanted it done in accordance with constitutional provisions.

“And now that the National Assembly and the President have done the needful, the new set of States legislators are likely to operate without fear since they will no longer be tied to the apron strings of governors,” the statement said.

BMO expressed optimism that the incoming administration of President-elect Bola Tinubu will build on the foundation for restructuring laid by the President, adding that all these are additional evidence that history will be kind to President Buhari after he leaves office.