National Conference Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government has finally recommended a unicameral legislature for the National Assembly against the current bicameral legislature in the country.
After a robust debate by delegates, they weighed options between representation based on population and equality of states.
Consequently, it was decided that representation at the National Assembly should be on equal representation of 50 per cent on the basis of equality of states and 50 per cent on the basis of population of each state.
During the meeting of the committee, some delegates also proposed 60 per cent representation in favour of population and 40 per cent for equality of states.
Other delegates kicked against it, insisting that 60 per cent representation by population and 40 per cent through equality of states would serve the country better.
Some delegates also solicited for 10 per cent representation that would take care of interest of special groups like women, youths and people living with disability.
The Committee eventually reached a compromise and voted on the three options where equal representation on the basis of the two options was agreed on.
According to Co-Chairman of thr Committee, Mohammed Kumaila: “We agreed that there should be a unicameral legislature, with one House of Parliament at the national level as opposed to what we have today.
“In taking this decision, we took cognizance of the fact that the Senate as we have today with equality of states as the guiding factor while population is what determines representation at the House of Representatives.
“We have to reflect the two factors so that no segment of the state would feel neglected or undermined.
“The decision was based on the need to fair, futuristic and building the country on a solid foundation because the issue of population is critical.
“There is no way we can compare Yobe and Kano when it comes to population, so if we pick 100 per cent representation on the basis of population, states like Kano would be disadvantaged as all would have the same number of representatives notwithstanding the number of their population.
“That is why we say the other half of 50 per cent should be based on population because the parliament is about representing the people.
“Moreover, we are also of the opinion that the 50-50 option would be easier to adopt at the plenary as all interests would have been taken care of.”
While appreciating the magnanimity of the members, Co-Chairman, General Ike Nwachukwu, appealed that the Committee should not be embarrassed by those whose opinions were not accommodated by the Committee in arriving at the decision.
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