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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