Members of the House of Representatives from the South-East geopolitical zone have called for a provision for referendum in the Nigerian constitution to open up avenues for discussions on self-determination by Nigerians.
They also insisted that Nigeria was due for restructuring and that it would be done, no matter how long it would take.
The 1999 Constitution makes no provision for a referendum, leaving the National Assembly as the only legal representative gathering for deliberations on the governance of Nigeria.
But South-East lawmakers, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH, said a provision for referendum was long due because it was part of the fundamental rights of the people to self-determination.
They noted that a referendum and the debate on restructuring of Nigeria were tied together.
The members were embittered that a South-East Development Commission Bill, which they introduced as a vehicle to develop the region, was thrown out by the House on Thursday.
According to them, such actions are largely responsible for the cries of marginalisation and agitation in the South-East and other parts of the country.
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