Sen. Odion Ugbesia (PDP-Edo) on Sunday canvassed for constitutional amendment to reduce the powers and authority vested in state governors.
He was reacting to the recent defection of some aggrieved PDP governors to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ugbesia said at a news conference in Abuja that some governors were using their powers to frustrate good governance in the country.
He said the lingering crisis in the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was temporary and could not affect the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan, if he declared such intention.
According to him, the current political challenges facing the country were reflective of a developing democracy, which would eventually grow to “near-perfect and stable situation”.
“What is happening now cannot stay till 2015. There are bound to be changes. If God says he (Jonathan) is going to be, 100 governors cannot stop him.
“But the governors in this country have become too powerful due to the resources at their disposal.
“Otherwise, why would the defection of five people bother you?”
He said there was the need for an urgent amendment of the constitution to reduce the powers currently ascribed to governors.
He described the Nigeria Governors’ Forum as an “illegal body” which had constituted itself into an impediment to the progress of the country.
“We must realise that the constitution does not even recognise governors forum which is the source of the country’s problems today.
“We must find a way through the constitutional means to reduce their (governors) powers.
“The resources accruing to them must be reduced and see how we can see a less powerful 36 governors”, he suggested.
Ugbesia said the recent defection of some PDP governors to APC would not alter the leadership structure in the National Assembly.
He said the leadership of the Senate remained focused and would continue to play critical role to protect the stability of the country.
“The senate president has saved this country in critical situations. He has held us together that I don’t see anybody who is not happy with him.
“So, I don’t think that any crisis may likely arise. In the House of Representatives, yes, it may create some problems until it is stabilised,” Ugbesia stressed.
Ugbesia, who chairs the Senate Committee on Trade and Investments, expressed optimism that the PDP would continue to fulfil its promise of transforming the country. (NAN)
Reviewing the constitution to reduce the power of governors is exactly something that GEJ wants,yet in our democracy,decentralization of power is important to increase State Governments autonomy. Why can’t Sen. Ugbesia call for constitutional review that will ensure sitting Senators will have to resign if they declare intention to run for Gubernatorial positions? Sen. Ugbesia is obviously looking for favours from Aso Rock and wanting to protect the “impunity” being perpetrated by the Nigerian Senate.
He has spoken like a true Nigerian bred politician. several Governors & Senators did a. lot of cross carpeting from smaller parties to PDP but that never raised an issue of reducing executive powers in the past! how myopic for anyone to say the G7 is an impediment to democracy cause they are a threat to President Jonathan’s ambitions! have the citizens not seen enough themselves?