Former Deputy Governor of Sokoto state, Chiso Abdullahi who presented the state’s position, rejected the creation of new states.
Abdullahi, however, advocated that the presidential system, fiscal federalism should be maintained as enshrined in the constituition while on power rotation, zoning should be maintained to foster national unity.
Accordingly, he advocated for a unicameral legislature while traditional institutions should be given advisory role in the constitution. He also highlighted that revenue allocation should be shared on the basis of 43 percent for the federal government, 35 percent for states and 23 percent for local government councils.
It’s Kebbi state counterpart on the other hand, rejected the creation of new states and bicameral legislature while zoning should be practised between North and South.
The state also advocated for a revenue sharing formula with federal government having 40 percent, states 40 percent and local government areas 20 percent.
Zamfara state which presented its position at the meeting, while insisted that the statusquo should be maintained on issues of state creation, derivation, devolution of powers, presidential system of government and land tenure system.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the APC Restructuring Committee for North-west and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, said all the views collated would be taken back to the APC national headquarters.
“At the end of the exercise, all the views collated will be analysed and this will form the opinion of the APC and the federal government,”he said.
In his remarks, Sokoto State Governor,Aminu Tambuwal, said the aim of the public hearing was to collate views of the people on how the country should be restructured and governed.
He said this would enable the party to have better informed position on the issue whenever it is making its presentation.
Also speaking, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, said the North would not be stampeded into accepting other people’s agenda but would only be guided by reason.
He noted that some of the issues being clamoured by certain groups in the country were subject to a lot of sentiments.
He expressed satisfaction with the modest achievements recorded by the APC across the country
He described the meeting as apt, saying APC was commtted to true federalism as enshrined in the manifestoe of the party.
Also, the Zamfara State Governor, Abdulazeez Yari, who was represented by the deputy governor Ibrahim Wakala, said the state was solidly behind the unity of Nigeria.
