Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), recently hosted its 53rd Inaugural lecture.
The lecture which was delivered by a renowned legal luminary,professor Gidado(SAN),unveiled the shortcomings of Nigerias unitary-federalism and proposed for a holistic restructuring of the polity.
The event which attracted students,Academicians,politicians,legal experts across Nigeria was provoked on insightful discuss on constitutional reforms and restructuring.
One of the politicians present was senator Dino Melaya who lauded professor Gidado for his indepth intellectual and advocacy for national restructuring, describing the topic as “relevant and courageous.”
Which sparked a National debate on“Nigeria’s Unitary-Federalism and the Restructuring Debate: Perspective from the Jurisprudence of Constitutionalism .
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Professor Gidado argued that restructuring Nigeria is a crucial subject requiring careful consideration, with potential benefits including improved security, electricity, education, and increased competition among states. He emphasized that a decentralized system of government would reduce complaints of marginalization and make it easier to trace corruption within individual states.
The Professor of Constitutional Law called for a constitutional amendment to restructure the country, arguing that the current federal structure grants excessive power to the federal government at the expense of the federating states. He stressed that restructuring would promote economic growth and social development.
He berated the 1999 constitution,describing it as a military constitutional gift full of flaws.
Prof.Gidado who informed that only 24men and a woman was the 1999 constitutional committee members set up to oversee the constitution negated the SHE and applied HE all through.
“Nigerian constitution made it possible for a Nigerian man to marry a foreigner and his wife unfortunately becomes a Nigerian,while if our daughters marries a foreigner it will not reflect vice versa.”
He advocated that the women should be given 37 slots in the senate from each state of the federation and Abuja under the constitutional amendment.
On revenue sharing formula he maintained that the federal government takes 52percent,states 26percent,local government 22percent which is not proper,this trend he called for a reversal because more Nigerians resides in the local government areas of Nigeria.
He queried while Nigeria constitution is still practicing unitary system of government were uptil now there is concentration of power at the centre.
In addition he also queried the appointment of judges from the centre to states as a constitutional flaw and recommended that Nigeria should adopt a holistic constitutional amendment of 1999 constitution.
The Vice-Chancellor of NSUK, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, congratulated Professor Gidado on his achievement and acknowledged his substantial academic contributions. Other dignitaries, including Dame Pauline Tallen and Chief J.K. Gadzama, also congratulated Professor Gidado on this significant milestone.
The event’s highlight was the presentation of a plaque of honor to Professor Gidado by the Vice-Chancellor, followed by a group photograph session to commemorate the occasion.