The Southeast Zonal Public Hearing on the review of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution has commenced in Enugu state , with critical discussions already ongoing.
Governor Peter Mbah’s Position – Presented by Prof. Chidiebere Onyia (SSG, Enugu State):
He advocated bold reforms, including:
- Creation of additional states in the Southeast
2.Decentralization of the police
3.Full institutionalization of local government administration
4.Rotational presidency and governorship among zones and senatorial districts.
5.Reserved legislative seats for women: 1 in Senate, 2 in House of Reps, and 3 in State Assemblies
6.Support for independent candidacy.
- Prevention of arbitrary removal of elected governors via emergency rule.
- Constitutional recognition of Traditional Rulers.
Ebonyi State’s Position – Presented by Rt. Hon. Moses Odunwa (Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly):
The Ebonyi State Government supported the creation of additional states and reserved seats for women in legislative houses.
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However, they proposed that the Constitution must clearly mandate political parties to specify which constituencies will implement these gender-based reservations to avoid conflicts.
State Creation Proposals:
Aba State: Proponents described the call for Aba State as a 70-year-long agitation. They emphasized its cultural and economic significance, stating that every family is represented in Aba.
Adada State: Represented by elder statesman Nnia Nwodo, says Adada state comprises five of the seven Igbo-speaking states and would restore equity to neglected areas.
Anioma State: Proponents identified as ethnic Igbos and called for Anioma’s inclusion to reunite them with their cultural brothers in the Southeast.
Anim State : The proponents made it clear that Anim state, to be created from Anambra and Imo States , will bring fairness for the two states which have been short-changed.
Orashi State: Proposal was ruled out due to absence of its proponents.
