Imo State Governor, Gov Uzodinma has demanded that the Southeast region add two additional states to catch up to its peers throughout the Federation.
At the public hearing on the 1999 constitution review that is currently underway in Owerri, the governor made the demand.
Gov Uzodinma claimed that the demand for constitutional changes was essential because it would assist in resolving complaints and the numerous agitations that came from all throughout the Federation.
Additionally, Gov Uzodinma insisted that the constitutional revision would provide a chance to ensure equality, justice, and inclusivity in the nation, namely for the people of the southeast, which he claimed had been left out of the process of creating the state.
The Governor also proposed a legal definition of indigenous status based on birth or long-term residency to foster a sense of belonging irrespective of origin.
Gov Uzodinma also argued that in order to support national stability, the constitution should firmly establish rotating presidency among the six geopolitical zones as well as between the North and South.
The governor favoured the decentralisation of police authority in order to improve responsiveness and efficacy in state policing.
Gov Uzodinma emphasised that a constitution that represents the values and ambitions of all Nigerians is crucial for the stability and advancement of the country, and he asked the National Assembly to take those recommendations into consideration as part of the constitutional review process.
“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.
Insisting on using the constitutional review process to peacefully express their demands, the governor further urged the Southeast zone to use the ongoing review to seek satisfaction for their long-standing grievance and to avoid threats of violence and secession.
The ongoing public hearing, he said, was a demonstration that democracy is in operation and that it can only flourish in an environment where justice and equity are upheld.
Gov Uzodinma added that he was not part of those calling for the total scrapping of the 1999 constitution but in support of its periodic review in addressing differing views across all sectors 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.
The governor of Imo State noted that the question of adding more states to the southeast has persisted for a while and that, in contrast to other geographical zones, this one still has five states.
Gov Uzodinma further insisted that the southeast area is under-represented in important national organisations, ranging from the Federal Executive Council to the National Assembly, as a result of the imbalance in state establishment.
“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.
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