By Williams Odunze
Africa-Press – Nigeria. Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma has called for two more states in the Southeast in order for the zone to be at par with its counterparts across the Federation.
The Governor made the demand in Owerri during his speech at the ongoing public hearing on the review of the 1999 constitution.
He said that the call for constitutional reforms was very necessary as it would help in addressing grievances and the series of agitations from all parts of the Federation.
Uzodinma also maintained that the constitutional review will avail the opportunity to guarantee inclusiveness, justice, and equity in the country mostly for the people of the southeast, the zone he said had been marginalized in the area of State creation.
The Governor further proposed a legal definition of indigenous status based on birth or long-term residence to promote a sense of belonging irrespective of origin.
He also called for the constitutional entrenchment of rotational presidency not only between the North and South but among the six geopolitical zones, which he said was to promote national stability.
On the issue of state policing, the Governor supported the decentralisation of police powers for greater responsiveness and effectiveness.
He urged the National Assembly to consider those proposals as part of the constitutional review process, emphasizing that a constitution that reflects the values and aspirations of all Nigerians was essential for national stability and progress.
“Our diversity is our strength, not our weakness. But that strength must be harnessed through law and equity.
“Therefore, our Constitution must reflect our shared values, not just our shared borders,” Uzodinma stressed.
The Governor further called on the Southeast zone to take advantage of the ongoing constitutional review to seek redress for their long-standing grievance and shun threats of secession and violence, insisting on using the constitutional review process to articulate their demands peacefully.
He remarked that the ongoing public hearing signified that democracy is at work, and can only thrive where justice and fairness prevail.
Uzodinma asserted that he is not among those calling for the total scrapping of the 1999 constitution but in support of its periodic review in addressing differing views across all quarters in order to continue fortifying the nation’s young democracy.
“Like most constitutions around the world, ours is a work in progress.
“Let us continue to build on it, and today’s hearing is part of that noble effort. There is no perfect Constitution anywhere in the world. This is the reason for the existence of parliaments all over the world.
“Our people in Imo and Abia States, and indeed the South East, have clear expectations. I believe the time has come to address them with urgency, sincerity, and justice,” he maintained.
On the issue of more additional States to the southeast, the Imo State Governor pointed out that the issue has lingered for a long time, noting that the zone remains the only geopolitical zone with five States unlike others.
Uzodinma further maintained that the imbalance in State creation has led to underrepresentation of the southeast region in critical national institutions, starting from the National Assembly to the Federal Executive Council.
“It has shrunk our voice and abridged our inclusivity. Therefore, it’s only fair and just that we ask for the creation of at least two additional states in the South East.
“It is my well considered submission that Anim State should be one of the new States to be created.
“This is one State that will have an oil-producing status upon creation.
“This makes it commercially viable, with sufficient revenue base to self-sustain. This should naturally go hand in hand with the creation of new local government areas for the zone,” he submitted.
In his presentation, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu advocated for inclusive Constitution, State Police and free and compulsory universal basic education in the Constitution Review.
He stressed the need for the Federal Government to mitigate potential issues likely to arise with the State Policing by proposing the establishment of legal safeguards, oversight committees and structured command model to check abuses.
The public hearing which took place at Eze Imo palace in Owerri, included stakeholders from Imo and Abia State and was declared open by the House Committee Chairman on the 1999 Constitution Review and Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
During his speech, the Deputy Speaker described the exercise as a historic journey made by the nation to determine the destiny of the people of Nigeria and to close the gap in the nation’s legal system, as well as strengthen the sacred duty of the constitution.
Kalu noted that the Committee, since its inauguration, has made genuine efforts to represent every concern through inclusive engagement of all sectors of the society in the Constitution amendment process.
He maintained that the Constitution should be a social contract that reflects contemporary realities, the desires and aspirations of every Nigerian, and a moral engagement for the nation’s future.
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