The North East Civil Society Network on Friday presented a memorandum to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, proposing key reforms to improve governance, transparency, and accountability in Nigeria’s fiscal operations and electoral processes.
Our correspondent reports that the NECSN is a coalition of civil society organisations dedicated to promoting good governance, peace, and development in North-East Nigeria.
“We propose constitutional amendments for fiscal reform, establishing an autonomous Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission to enhance transparency and accountability in revenue management,” NECSN stated.
The group also advocated for electoral reform, scrapping State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and vesting powers to conduct local government elections in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This move aims to ensure consistency, enhance credibility, and promote national unity in electoral processes,” NECSN noted.
According to NECSN, the proposed reforms will “ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency in revenue mobilisation and allocation, curb systemic leakages and revenue evasion, guarantee fiscal federalism, empower RMAFC to lead the drive toward non-oil revenue growth and economic diversification, and improve data-driven decision-making.”
The group emphasised the need for an autonomous RMAFC with enforcement powers, including the ability to summon revenue-generating agencies, conduct audits, and sanction defaulters.
This will block leakages and ensure accountability in revenue management,” NECSN said.
On electoral reform, NECSN believes that vesting powers in INEC will “ensure consistency, enhance credibility, and promote national unity in electoral processes.” “INEC’s expertise and resources can enhance election credibility, reduce disputes, and increase efficiency.”
NECSN called on the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review to consider these proposals and work towards creating a more transparent and accountable system of governance in Nigeria.
“We urge the committee to prioritise these reforms and ensure that they are incorporated into the constitutional amendment process.
“This will be a significant step towards promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability in Nigeria,” the group added.
