Senate rejects Abba Moro’s bill on power rotation, gives reason

By James Amedu

The Bill seeking provisions for rotation of power in the country was, on Tuesday, stepped down on the floor of the Senate.

The Bill, sponsored by Distinguished Senator Abba Moro, and which passed First Reading on 26th July, 2022, sought for an Act that allows for rotation of political power amongst the Six geopolitical zones, governorship amongst Senatorial Districts, and federal constituencies in Nigeria.

In his lead debate, Senator Moro said the idea of the Bill was conceived because of the controversies trailing nominations of persons for elections into various offices, especially the offices of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Governors of various States of the Federation.

He said the Bill, if passed into law, would ensure Power Rotation, which is ”…a veritable tool for our national integration, unity, inclusion, peace and political stability.”

Part of Senator Moro’s debate reads;

“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues the one and sole intent of this Bill is to enact a legislation that will make provisions for the rotation of political power amongst the Geo-Political Zones, Governorship amongst the Senatorial Districts and Federal Constituencies in general elections in Nigeria.

“This Bill has become imperative considering the controversies trailing the nominations of persons for elections into various offices, especially the offices of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Governors of various States of the Federal Republic.

“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, let me humbly remind us that in our Nation’s Constitution, there is what is called “The Federal Character Principle”, which requires the fair and equitable representation of different ethnic and regional groups in the composition of all tiers of government. This was designed by the framers of the Constitution to ensure that there is no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or sectional groups in running the affairs of the country.

“Mr President, Distinguished Colleagues, one of our duties as legislators is to protect the Constitution of our dear country Nigeria and one way to do that is to support this Bill because Power Rotation is a necessary lubricant that oils the Federal Character Principle as enshrined in our Constitution.

“Mr. President, my very revered Colleagues, in Nigeria a multi-ethnic and diverse nation, the need to alternate power across the Zones and governorship amongst the Senatorial districts of the country cannot be overemphasized. This is because Power Rotation can be a veritable tool for our national integration, unity, inclusion, peace and political stability. May I mention that, for democracy to thrive anywhere, it must be adapted to suit the political reality of its environment.

“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, for the progress of our democracy, equity and equality should define its process.

“Mr. President, my highly respected Colleagues, time has come for us to reach certain peculiar compromises in respect to our political reality for the sake of our cohesion as a people, and one way to achieve this is through Power Rotation amongst all the Geo-Political Zones, Governorship amongst the Senatorial Districts and Federal Constituencies of our country. Rotation of Power is the strongest antidote against secessionist threats in this country.

“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, certain Zones and regions feel marginalized and denied political power and this has led to emotive violence and social unrest. The way forward to bring about political stability in the country and to give every section, zone or group a sense of belonging and inclusion is to embrace rotation of political power with open arms.

“May I humbly submit, Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, that there is no section or zone in Nigeria that does not have the ‘best person’ with the requisite competence, capacity and character to lead at various political levels in Nigeria.

“Mr. President, my very respected Colleagues, for purposes of preserving our democracy, I urge you all to support the Power Rotation Bill and pass it accordingly.”

In their separate contributions, Senators applauded the Bill and said power rotation would give every region and ethnic group sense of belonging. Some Senators, however, observed that the Bill would contravene the provision of the constitution that allows Nigerians from everywhere to seek elective positions anytime. They advised that the law should come through constitutional amendment instead of an Act of Parliament.

Senator Abba Moro, the sponsor of the Bill, standing on Order 42 for personal explanation, sought the permission of the Senate President and his colleagues, and stepped down the Bill, for re-working and proper presentation.