Ekweremadu Proposes That Nigeria's 36 States Be Merged into 6 Zones

Ekweremadu Proposes That Nigeria's 36 States Be Merged into 6 Zones

In his New Book; "Who will love my country: Ideas of building the Nigeria of our dreams". The Nigerian’s Deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, suggested that the 36 states of the federation be made into 6 geopolitical zones a drastic reform of the federal character principle in order to move the nation forward.

According to him, this act would restructure the country and avoid continual hindering of development.

The book is scheduled for public presentation tomorrow, 27th April 2016 in Abuja.

Senator Ekweremadu praised the nation’s founding fathers for espousing true federalism as the basis of the country’s federation during her independence.

He also made it known that suggestion that fiscal federalism would result in distortive growth-affirming that even in a forest, not all trees are the same.

In his words, “I am profoundly disturbed by any attempt to staff our public service with people hired, not for their talent or qualifications, but simply because of their state of origin or connections in high places. Some people fear that employment standards have been recalibrated to accommodate the employment of people whose chief qualification seems to be that they come from a particular geographical zone."

“These employees decrease productivity, weaken our public service, and ultimately render it inefficient. Employment should, as far as practicable, be based on merit and not distorted by patronage, nepotism or tribalism. Federal character is designed to ensure that government jobs and positions are not disproportionately occupied by particular ethnic groups to the exclusion of others."

The 159-page book, he also has commentaries on the electoral process, party politics, revamping of public institutions, corruption and poverty reduction among others.

Meanwhile, reports that Ekweremadu could replace Senate President Bukola Saraki as President of the Senate should the CCT rule against Saraki are going round already.