***Approves South-South Development Commission Bill for Second Reading

The Senate has commenced the process to amend the Northwest and Southeast Development Commission Acts, specifically addressing the allocation of Managing Director and Chairmanship positions.
Additionally, the Senate passed the South-South Development Commission Bill for second reading, further advancing efforts to establish the commission.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, while presenting the amendments, explained that the proposed changes to the Northwest Development Commission Act, 2024, aim to ensure fair geopolitical representation within the commission’s Governing Board. One key amendment is to prevent the appointment of both the Chairman and Managing Director from the same state in the zone, while also mandating Senate confirmation of these appointments, as required by the Nigerian Constitution.

“To uphold fairness and align with the federal character principle, it is necessary that the commission’s membership reflects other geopolitical zones, in line with the Acts governing federal commissions,” Bamidele said.

A similar rationale was provided for the proposed amendments to the Southeast Development Commission Act.

Following the second reading, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stressed the importance of the amendments, noting that they are essential for the smooth operation of the development commissions in both regions.

Meanwhile, the Senate also approved the South-South Development Commission Bill for second reading, just months after initially rejecting it. The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South) and supported by Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), received overwhelming support across party lines.

During the debate, Senator Dickson clarified that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), often misconstrued as a zonal entity, is actually a resource-based commission addressing the environmental damage caused by oil exploration across several states. He noted that the NDDC serves not just the South-South, but parts of the Southeast and Southwest as well, while the proposed South-South Development Commission would be zonal.

With strong backing from the Senate, President Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Special Duties and requested a report within one week.

The Senate has stepped down a bill proposing the licensing and regulation of private investigators following widespread opposition during its second reading.
The bill, titled An Act to Prescribe Standards and Conditions for the Licensing of Private Investigators in Nigeria, 2024, was introduced by Senator Osita Ngwu (Enugu West) but faced resistance from a majority of lawmakers.

The bill sought to establish a legal framework for private investigators, professionals hired to conduct investigatory services for individuals or organizations.
Senator Ngwu, in his lead debate, emphasized that regulating the industry would curb unethical practices and enhance the administration of justice in Nigeria. He argued that a standardized system would help private investigators manage sensitive information responsibly while providing vital support to law enforcement.

“A regulatory framework will ensure clarity in how private investigators operate, safeguard citizens’ privacy, and enhance access to crucial information for investigations,” Ngwu explained. The bill aimed to professionalize the industry, focusing on fraud prevention, insurance investigations, and corporate risk management.
While some senators supported the bill, others strongly opposed it. Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) argued in favor of the bill, citing its potential to resolve crimes where public agencies fall short. He noted that private investigators could play a crucial role in cases where police investigations stall.

“This bill is necessary to set standards for private investigators in Nigeria. It will help ensure only credible, qualified individuals are licensed, bridging the gap left by public investigative agencies,” Umeh stated.

However, a significant number of senators opposed the proposal. Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) voiced strong objections, warning that private investigators could be misused for political purposes. He argued that the bill could open the door to invasions of privacy and the weaponization of private investigators against political rivals.

“Licensing private investigators gives them the power to intrude into people’s lives, potentially victimizing individuals for political purposes. This is not something we should encourage,” Oshiomhole warned.

Senator Titus Zam (Benue North) echoed similar concerns, arguing that Nigeria’s current investigative institutions are sufficient. He suggested that the country was not ready for private investigators, warning that such a move could aggravate personal and political disputes in a nation already dealing with religious and ethnic divisions.

“We should not license individuals to investigate others in a society still grappling with ethnic and religious fault lines. This bill could escalate conflicts and disrupt our fragile democracy,” Zam argued.

Senator Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central) proposed the creation of a national forensic institute to ensure thorough, unbiased analysis of evidence before considering the introduction of private investigators.

President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio expressed his reservations, suggesting that private investigators could be misused in personal matters, particularly domestic disputes. He humorously remarked that in a country with multiple marriages, private investigators could be hired to fabricate false evidence, leading to scandals.

“There’s a risk that in family disputes, especially in polygamous households, private investigators could create false evidence, sparking unnecessary scandals,” Akpabio quipped.

Following these concerns, Senator Ngwu agreed to withdraw the bill for further consultation, and the Senate voted in favor of stepping it down.

***Senate Leader Eases Concerns

Northern and Southern Senators have voiced opposing views on the proposal to return Nigeria to a regional system of government.
The debate emerged during a two-day retreat on the 1999 constitution amendments, organized by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) in Kano.

Southern Senators welcomed the idea, believing it would boost the economy, tackle insecurity, and speed up infrastructural development. However, their Northern counterparts strongly rejected it, citing past experiences where regionalism did not deliver equitable development.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele assured the public that regionalism is not part of the current constitution review, seeking to ease any concerns.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) firmly opposed the idea, stating that his constituents did not benefit from regional governance during the First Republic.
He emphasized that only elected National Assembly members have the mandate to review the constitution, questioning the legitimacy of those advocating for regionalism outside the legislative process.
Ningi instead called for reforms to the existing federal system, with a focus on fiscal federalism.
Senator Sani Musa (Niger East), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, clarified that the zonal development commissions established for Nigeria’s geopolitical zones are solely for regional economic development and should not be confused with regionalism.
He advised advocates of regional government to propose their ideas through formal legislative channels.
Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume (Borno South) also dismissed the notion of regionalism, suggesting that true federalism has fallen out of favor in Africa.
He argued that building strong institutions and promoting good governance would address the issues driving the demand for federalism.

Senator Muntari Dandutse (Katsina South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TetFund, echoed these sentiments, stressing that Nigeria should focus on good governance and better resource management rather than revisiting the regional government structure. He pointed out that all regions in Nigeria have the potential for growth if resources are handled properly.

In contrast, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North) defended the call for regional government, reminiscing on the success of regionalism in the First Republic. He noted that regions were able to independently harness their resources, which reduced corruption and fostered local development. Buhari argued that decentralizing power from the federal center would allow regions to address their own challenges more effectively.

While keeping specifics under wraps, Buhari mentioned that the South West region has a unified agenda for the constitution review, which will be presented at the appropriate time by the Chairman of the South West Forum.

Senate Leader’s Assurance

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele clarified that a return to regional government is beyond the scope of the current constitutional amendment process. He explained that such a significant shift in governance would require broad political consensus and widespread public support, something not easily achieved through a standard legislative procedure.

Bamidele acknowledged the complexities of constitutional amendments, emphasizing that even minor changes to the constitution involve a lengthy and rigorous process. He stressed that while discussions on regionalism may continue, it would take more than a parliamentary bill or public hearing to implement such a fundamental change.

The debate over regionalism has exposed a deep divide within the Senate, with Northern lawmakers strongly opposed and Southern lawmakers advocating for a return to the system. As the constitutional review progresses, this disagreement highlights the significant challenges in building a consensus on Nigeria’s governance structure.