As Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independence Anniversary, Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele has called on leaders across the country, regardless of their political affiliations, to unite and address the challenges undermining national prosperity.

Reflecting on the country’s journey since gaining independence and 110 years of existence as a single political entity, Bamidele urged leaders to focus on what unites Nigeria rather than issues that further divide along ethnic, political, and religious lines.

In his statement, Bamidele emphasized the importance of tackling key national issues to build a resilient federation that works for all Nigerians.

He highlighted the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly, stressing the urgency of creating an efficient and responsive federal structure.

“After 64 years of political independence and 110 years of corporate existence, onus now rests upon us all to focus our energy and intellect on what majorly unites us as a federation rather than what will further divide us along our ethno-political and religious faultlines”.

“At this trying time, we must be deliberate to decisively address what easily divide us and heat up our polity in order to build a resilient federation that works for all. It is important for all leaders, political or socio-cultural, religious or traditional, community or professional, to close ranks and come up with consensus on how to end heinous challenges undermining our collective prosperity, national harmony and political stability”.

Such a united front has now become imperative at this auspicious time when the review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is underway at the National Assembly. There is no better time to review our federal governance structure than now with a view to creating a federation that is more efficient, functional and responsive.

According to the Leader of the Senate, the Senate have received 37 fresh memoranda from different interests nationwide, as they are also revisiting 16 constitution alteration bills inherited from the Ninth National Assembly. Before public hearings on the constitution review take off January 2025.

Among others, memoranda received were the need to establish state police; adopt diaspora voting; entrench financial autonomy for local government councils; deepen independence of the judiciary; provide special seats for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly and create the National Council of Traditional Rulers.