The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) Speakers ’ Forum has called for an amendment of the constitution to create a true federalism.
The forum made the call at the weekend in a statement by its Chairman, John Gaul Lebo , after its maiden meeting in Gombe State.
Lebo, who is the Speaker of the Cross Rivers State House of Assembly , said the positions were necessitated by the current agitations and the economic , political and social developments in the country .
According to them, while devolution of power was unanimously considered as a priority during the constitutional review meetings , they are surprised that the National Assembly kicked against it .
The statement reads : “ The constitutional review process has been ongoing in the last two years . In these two years , we have had not less than four meetings , with the last one holding in Lagos .
“It was resolved unanimously that one of the most prominent issues in the review process was that of devolution of power . The National Assembly must, as a matter of urgency and necessity, revisit the issue in the current constitutional amendment process . ”
The speakers cited other issues that must be addressed to include the autonomy of the state legislatures and local governments . They stressed that they don ’t want to be selfish by protecting their personal interests against those of the country , hence their insistence .
The forum also resolved to fully support the party during its December 9, 2017 National Convention in Lagos . The Speakers of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe , Rivers and Taraba states ’ assemblies attended the meeting.
guardian