*Proposals for independent candidacy, single term for president, governors sail through
*FCT minister to be appointed from one of the six area councils that constitute Abuja
The agitation for restructuring of Nigeria suffered a huge setback on Wednesday as the Senate voted to reject a proposal to amend the 1999 Constitution to devolve more powers to the states.
Using electronic voting, 48 of 95 Senators present voted against the proposal, which had been challenged on Tuesday by Adamu Aliero, who argued it should not stand without reviewing the revenue sharing formula to give more money to states.
The Senate also voted against a proposal to alter the Constitution to provide for 35 percent affirmative action for women in federal and state cabinets.
A total of 49 of the 96 senators present during the electronic voting on the bill to further amend the 1999 Constitution supported the proposal.
Despite the slight majority, however, the proposal still failed as it came short of the 73 votes needed to succeed.
Two-thirds of the 109 Senators, 73 votes, were required to approve the affirmative action.
The Senate also voted that governors and the president must submit list of commissioners or ministers, with portfolios, to the legislature within 30 days of inauguration.
The lawmakers also voted that FCT Minister should be appointed from one of the six area councils that constitute Abuja.
The lawmakers also voted in support of independent candidacy and a single term for the president and governors.
Meanwhile, a group, the South East South South Network (SESSNet) has condemned the Senate for voting against the resource control and devolution of power in the country saying it is either restructuring or separation.