Talks about Nigeria returning to a regional system of government are back in the news - this time with an air of legitimacy.
Many Nigerians believe a regional system of government offers a solution to some of the problems bedevilling the country.
When the draft of a bill proposing a re-adoption of regionalism surfaced and went viral on social media two weeks ago, the House of Representatives disowned the document, saying there was no such bill before its committee for deliberation.
The bill, authored by Akin Fapounda, a retired director in the federal civil service, seeks among other things, a new legal framework to be cited as "The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria New Governance Model for Nigeria Act 2024."
However, barring a last-minute change, Fapohunda has resolved to forward the document to President Bola Tinubu, who may present it to the National Assembly as an executive bill.
This model of government tends to align with Nigerians' yearning for restructuring and this is evident in the reactions Fapohunda's proposal has generated on social media.
Even though the call for a return to regionalism is often politically motivated, many Nigerians believe it offers a solution to some of the problems bedevilling the country.
So, what's a regional system of government?
A regional system of government is a form of government in which each region is allowed to control the resources in its territory and pay royalties to the central government.
It is the reverse of the current system the country operates in which economic power and control are concentrated in the hands of the Federal Government, which in turn shares revenues with state and local governments.