Falae, Fasoranti, lawmakers shun constitutional review congress in Akure

The state lawmakers from the constituencies boycotted the congress.

Speakers at the constituency congress on the review of the 1999 constitution in Akure, the Ondo State capital, have called for the autonomy of local councils across the country.

The congress was however not attended by any lawmaker from the constituencies involved, nor traditional rulers in the area.

With the importance attached to the review of the nation’s constitution, one would have expected that the venue will be filled by politicians from different political divides.

But the reverse was the case as some notable indigenes of the constituency, which is made up of Akure South and North Local councils, were conspicuously absent.

The three members of the state House of Assembly in the constituency, namely Akindele Adeniyi (Akure North), Kunle Olujuyigbe (Akure South 11), and Kemisola Adesanya (Akure South 1), were all absent.

Also absent were members of the Afenifere led by Reuben Fasoranti, elder statesman and the former minister of finance, Olu Falae, who are from the constituency.

Except the Caretaker Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Jide Adejuyigbe, who graced the event, other political office holders including commissioners, special assistants and senior special assistants from the area shunned the event.

The low turn-out at the event might not be unconnected with the fact that the federal lawmaker representing the constituency is a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria who dumped the Labour Party shortly after he was elected.

This however did not deter those present to present their views on what needs to be adjusted in the nation’s constitution.

The federal lawmaker representing the constituency, Ifedayo Abegunde, wants the present regional structure to be included in the country’s constitution.

“The present structure of six regions should be included in the nation’s constitution. I am not saying we should embrace regional government but we should only ensure that it is enshrined in our constitution. This is my own personal option which I thing is good for the development of our great country,” he said.

The issue of local government autonomy was also examined by representatives of various groups.

The Caretaker Chairman of Akure North Local Government, Jide Adejuigbe, and state Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees, Akin Omoriege, want the local and state government’s joint account to be expunged from the constitution. They also expressed the need for the creation of more local councils against the agitation for creation of more states.