National
Unicameral legislature: You’re entitled to your opinion, Senate replies Akeredolu
Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu SAN
Senate has said that the Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu “is entitled to his personal opinion” on his call for the scrapping of the Senate with each zones having equal number of four representatives at the National Assembly.
Governor Akeredolu had declared at the Akure Centre of the South West zonal public hearing, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review that the country should consider dropping the current bicameral structure of the National Assembly, and adopt a unicameral legislature.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said: “The membership of the Assembly should be part time. No member should earn allowances not known to the Revenue Mobilisation and Allocation Committee, and the people they claim to serve.
“Legislators should earn under a uniform salary structure. Allowance peculiarities must not be about obscenity. The Senate should be scrapped.
“The House of Representatives too should not be unwieldy. A maximum of four representatives should come from each Zone.”
He added: “Nobody must be shut out; all must be treated equally. All decisions must be anchored on the principles of Equity and Justice.”
The governor noted that constitution review was an important assignment which must be undertaken with all seriousness.
Reacting, the chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru said that the governor was entitled to his personal opinion on the matter.
“He is entitled to his personal opinion. The essence of the public hearing is to hear diverse opinions. The ultimate decision will be taken by Nigerian people within the provisions of section 9 of the 1999 Constitution,” he stated.
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