Attempt by the House of Representatives to remove the 13 per cent oil derivation formula being enjoyed by oil-producing states, especially in the South-South geopolitical zone has generated uproar.
The bill seeking to remove the constitutional provision is sponsored by 59 members of the House from the Northern states, including the leader of the Northern Caucus, Musa Sarkin-Adar.
Angered by the plot, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has convoked an emergency “general assembly” of the South South governors and other stakeholders for Monday to deliberate on the thorny issue.
Our correspondent observed that the bill currently awaiting second reading was The proposal seeks to delete Section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which has to do with the management of the Federation Account.
PANDEF, in an open invitation issued on Friday by its National Chairman and former Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Emmanuel Essien, invited governors of states in the Niger Delta and members of the National Assembly from the oil-rich Niger Delta region to the virtual meeting.
The invitation is entitled, ‘Agenda: The Bill to Delete Subsection 2, Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) sponsored by 59 Northern Members of the House of Representatives.’’
It reads, “The following personalities and groups are also invited to attend: representatives of the South-South governors, speakers of the South-South states, members of the National Assembly from the region – serving and past, former governors and top political office holders, retired top military and security officers from the region.
Other invitees are the Director-General of BRACED Commission, traditional rulers, presidents of ethnic organisations, leadership of oil and gas host communities, leaders of ethnic youth organisations, leaders of relevant CSOs, CBOs, women and youth groups in the region and other strategic stakeholders.”
However, several co-sponsors of the controversial bill could not be reached on Friday night to comment on the idea behind it.
The sponsors include Babangida Ibrahim, Musa Sarkin-Adar, Abdulganiyu Olododo, Mansur Manu Soro, Tijjani Zakariya, Usman Shiddi, Mohd Yakubu, Muhammad Jega, Bello Shinkafi, and Aliyu Yako.
Others are Bashir Mashema, Abdullahi Halims, Shehu Rijau, Hamisu Ibrahim, Ahmad Bakura, Abdulkarim Usman, Richard Gbande and Francis Agbo.
