By Tony Adibe
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), popularly known as Pyrates Confraternity, has vehemently supported the adoption of electronic voting during general elections, integration of the voter’s card with the National Identity Management (NIM), and also the immediate transmission of election results at real time.
The Pyrates Confraternity in its 17-point submission, also advocated for urgent and genuine reforms in Nigeria’s judiciary, the adoption and establishment of State Police, and the replacement of State of Origin with State of Residence. The NAS made its submission during the SouthEast Regional/Public Hearing On Constitutional Review held at the International Conference Center (ICC), Enugu, at the weekend.
Making the presentation on behalf of the NAS, Dr. Kenneth Okoro, Mni, former National Secretary, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), who represented the NAS Capoon, Dr Joseph Oteri, said the adoption of electronic voting system and integration of the voter’s card with the NIM, would stop a situation in which foreigners infiltrate to vote during elections. “We are also concerned about transmission of results at real time,” he emphasised.
Okoro said that the NAS was equally concerned about judicial reforms, stressing that a situation in which partisan bodies or persons or the executive appoints judicial officials “does not, and will not augur well for our judicial system.”
He told the gathering point-blank that “we are advocating for a nonpartisan body to appoint members of the Judicial Service Commission, and there should be a time-lag for cases so that cases do not last forever in courts.”
Another area of concern, Okoro said, was national integration. He said that Nigerians are familiar with the aspect of State of Origin inscribed in “our public documents.” He said State of Origin should, instead, be replaced with State of Residence.
“So, we are advocating for a situation where we replace State of Origin with State of Residence. So that where you reside, work, pay taxes; you and your children can also access the privileges there, and also make for better planning with the real population of people residing in those areas,” he said.
INCLUSIVITY:
According to NAS, “Inclusivity is the cornerstone of democracy, because every voice matters. So, it’s important that every constitution strives to be inclusive. The people of the South-east have consistently advocated for a constitution that genuinely reflects the principles of justice, fairness, equity, and inclusiveness. Our region has, for too long, felt marginalized in several critical aspects of national governance and representation. This public hearing provides a vital platform for our voices to be heard and our proposals to be considered in shaping a more perfect union for Nigeria.”
STATE CREATION:
The Pyrates Confraternity said that one of the most pressing concerns for the South-east “is the issue of equitable state creation.”
According to the group, “As it stands, our region is the only one with just five states, while other geopolitical zones have six or seven. This disparity has led to a sense of injustice and underrepresentation. We strongly advocate for the creation of an additional state in the South-east to bring us on par with other regions, thereby ensuring a more balanced and fair federal structure. We note that the National Assembly is currently considering bills for the creation of new states, with some of these bills originating from the South-east, underscoring the widespread desire for this correction.”
The NAS submission reads inter alia:
INSECURITY:
“Furthermore, the worsening insecurity across the nation necessitates a fundamental re-evaluation of our policing structure. We ardently support the creation of State Police Services, operating alongside the Federal Police, but with clearly defined jurisdictions and operational parameters. This
decentralization of policing is not merely a theoretical concept; it is a practical solution to the security fragilities we face, allowing for more localized and effective responses to crime and disorder. The establishment of State Security Councils would further enhance this framework, ensuring that security efforts are tailored to the unique needs of each state.”
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY:
“Another critical area for reform is the institutionalization of local government councils as a truly autonomous third tier of government. The current practice, where state governors often appropriate funds meant for local governments and appoint caretaker committees instead of elected representatives, undermines democratic principles and hinders grassroots development. We urge the committee to reinforce Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution to ensure the democratic existence and financial independence of local government areas, allowing them to directly access their funds from the national consolidated account.”
ROTATIONAL PRESIDENCY AMONG GEOPOLITICAL ZONES:
“The concept of a rotational presidency is also of paramount importance to the South-east. We believe that adopting a rotational presidency among the six geo-political zones would provide every region, including the South-east, a fair chance at the highest office in the land, fostering a greater sense of belonging and national unity. Similarly, we propose that governorship should rotate among senatorial zones and legislative seats among constituencies, ensuring broader representation and participation at all levels of governance.”
WOMEN INCLUSION:
“To further enhance inclusivity, particularly for women, we propose the creation of additional legislative seats. Specifically, we advocate for one additional Senate seat per state for women, two additional House of Representatives seats per state, and three additional State Assembly seats per state for women. This measure would significantly boost gender parity and ensure active participation of women in governance and decision-making processes.”
DEVOLUTION OF POWERS:
“We also call for legislative powers enhancements and fiscal reforms that would devolve more powers and resources to the states. The current concentration of power at the center, a legacy of military rule, has stifled the growth and development of subnational entities. A true federal system requires that states are autonomous entities with sufficient powers and resources to positively impact the lives of their citizens. This includes a review of the revenue allocation formula to ensure a more equitable distribution of
national wealth.”
INDEPENDENT CANDIDACY IN ELECTIONS:
“We also support proposals for independent candidacy, allowing individuals to contest elections without political party affiliation, thereby expanding political participation and strengthening democratic legitimacy.”
POWERS TO DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY:
“In addition to the amendments already proposed by the House of Representatives, we suggest an amendment to the current emergency powers under Section 305 of the Constitution. We opine that there are uncertainty or lacuna relating to the extent of the exercise of this power. Also, the provision lacks sufficient and clear procedural safeguards for certain crucial aspects. These expose the exercise of the power to abuse.”
“There is no doubt that a Constitutional amendment is required to define clear limits, ensure judicial oversight, protect fundamental rights during emergencies, and prevent its arbitrary use for political ends. We thus propose an amendment that prohibits the removal or suspension of democratically elected Governors and members of the House of Assembly based on the exercise of emergency powers under section 305.”
TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS:
“Also, the inclusion of traditional institutions in the constitution is a matter of cultural significance and practical governance. Traditional rulers are the
closest to the citizens and play a vital role in community affairs, including security. Providing constitutional backing for a National Council of Traditional Rulers, along with state and local equivalents, would acknowledge their importance and enable them to contribute more effectively to national
development and stability. Thus, we are strongly supportive of the Proposal to “Establish National, State and Local Government Councils of Traditional Rulers with constitutional recognition, and 8% of LGA allocation to paramount traditional rulers.”
“Again, there should be a requirement for official counting and recording of votes by the National Assembly in their approval or rejection of a state of emergency proclamation. We strongly believe these civic engagements are well-intentioned, and not merely ceremonial.”
“We’re also confident that the voices and opinions that would emerge from this zonal public hearing will lend perspectives to the constitutional debate. That is why we implore our people to fully participate, because democracy is a collective walk.”
“We are confident that this constitutional review process, with its emphasis on public engagement, will lead to a more legitimate and widely accepted grundnorm for Nigeria. The South-east is ready to contribute constructively to this endeavor, and we look forward to a future where our constitution truly embodies the aspirations of “we the people”.
