Ohaneze, Atiku Express Disappointment over Senate's Rejection of Power Devolution

Ohaneze, Atiku Express Disappointment over Senate's Rejection of Power Devolution

The leadership of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday expressed disappointment at the position of the Senate on the issue of power devolution in the country.

Ohanaeze in a statement signed by its President General, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, said: "It's disappointing and disheartening that as representatives of the people (the legislature) are unable to correctly gauge the mood and desires of their people and the nation."

On his party, Atiku described as shocking and saddening, the decision of the APC-led Senate to block the passage of bill which would have granted devolution of power to the states.

Ohaneze said even though it's aware of the long process of the constitutional amendment and that the Senate is not the final step, but what the senators did amounted to gross insensitivity on the feelings of Nigerians.

"The barrage of voices in this country lately shows clearly that majority of Nigerians are desirous of the country running a true federal system and one expected the Senate to have appreciated this in all their actions especially in constitutional amendment," he said.

The Ndigbo umbrella body counseled the National Assembly that rather than go into constitutional amendment at this time that the mood of the country is tuned towards total restructuring, they should have concerned themselves in making the necessary legislative enactment to empower the convening of a National Conference for real constitutional drafting.

According to Ohanaeze, "Any action, whether from the legislative or executive, in this country today that is not programmed to respond to the yearnings of the populace will amount to exercise in futility."

The Igbo group therefore urged the National Assembly and other legislative body involved in the constitutional amendment in the country to put the interest of the country first and ensure that their actions are such that would help to douse the tension and stabilise of the country.

Ohaneze said it had expected the Senate, after accepting to consider the 2014 Confab report, put it into consideration before passing their constitutional amendment bills.

Similarly, the former vice president while kicking against the Senate's position, said such action negates APC's change mantra.

In a statement issued by his media office in Abuja, the Waziri of Adamawa decried the lost opportunity to honour one of the party’s election promises to bring about change by shifting power closer to the people in the remotest regions of our country.

“This blockage of the bill by an APC-led Senate majority is a betrayal of our party’s pre-election promises.

“It was an important vote and I’m shocked by some so-called progressives’ visceral and cynical opposition to restructuring,” he stated.