Agitations for the creation of new states and local government areas, state police, defined constitutional roles for traditional rulers, among others, dominated the space during a public hearing on constitution review in northern states at the weekend.

The House of Representatives committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution had during the weekend conducted public hearings in the North West, North Central and North East zones to get inputs from various stakeholders to enable the lawmakers effect amendments to the 1999 Constitution.

The committee had disclosed that it received 46 formal requests for the creation of new states, alongside 117 demands for new local government areas across the country, adding that the proposals submitted by various interest groups span all the six geopolitical zones.

Daily Trust reports that several efforts have been made to amend the 1999 Constitution which some lawyers and analysts described as a bad document that is not in conformity with the ideals of democracy, after many years of military rule.

More efforts resulted in more expenditure but less positive results in the past, as several factors conspired to derail the process, including lack of concurrence by two-third majority (24 of the 36) of the state houses of assembly and sometimes, presidential withdrawal of assent.

Daily Trust reports that several constitution amendment exercises had guzzled over N20 billion, with at least 30 alterations made to the document in the last 20 years.

The Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), had disclosed that the National Assembly would transmit the report of the ongoing constitution review to the 36 state assemblies before December 2025.

North East

At the zonal hearing in the North East, which was held simultaneously in Borno and Gombe states, the committee received seven proposals for the creation of new states and over 40 additional local government areas from different interest groups.

The stakeholders called for the creation of Amana State from Adamawa, Savannah State from Borno, Katagum State from Bauchi, Tangalwaja State from Gombe and Muri, Kwararafa and South Sardauna states from Taraba.

Other key demands presented by the groups include; reserved seats for women, devolution of power, and roles for traditional institutions.

Hon Isa Ali, who chaired the North East Centre ‘B’, hearing, comprising Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, said he received memoranda from over 50 clubs, civil society organisations, unions, associations and other organizations.

Also, at the North East Centre ‘A’, in Gombe, chaired by Chief Whip of the House, Rt. Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, over 30 submissions were received from various groups, religious and traditional institutions, and individuals seeking alterations or amendments to the constitution.

In his presentation, leader of the Amana State movement, Alhaji Sali Bello, Dan Amar Mubi, told the committee that the state is long overdue, stressing that they had been unjustly treated by the Nigerian state.

Also, presenting the memorandum for the creation of Savannah State, Amb. Dauda Danladi said creating the state would spur economic and rich cultural benefits which abound in its geographical location.

He said agitation for the creation of Savannah has been on the front burner for over 40 years, and would surely bring development to the country when created.

Presenting five demands to the committee in Maiduguri, at the weekend, the secretary of Borno Elders Forum, Bulama Mali Gubio, said amendment should be made to recognise the roles of traditional rulers in the Nigerian constitution.

In his submissions, the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Inn Umar Garbai El-kanemi, emphasised the need for a defined role for traditional institutions in the new constitution.

Also, the same submission was made by the Emir of Gombe, represented by Dan Lawan, Dr. Sani Jauro, who submitted a memorandum calling for creation of a specific role for the traditional rulers in the constitution.

Also speaking, the member representing Bama, Ngala Kala-Balge Federal Constituency, Hon. Zainab Gimba, called for reserved seats for women to enable them have a voice in the decision making process.

North Central

In the North Central, agitations for the creation of additional states, constitutional sanction for state governors who failed to allow autonomy for local councils, creation of additional local government areas and state police dominated the space during the event.

Others were the state’s power to legislate and control the mining sector, as well as special constitutional recognition for women in governance.

The demands were presented by stakeholders at the Centre ‘A’ public hearing held at the Siyyam Event Centre, Minna, Niger State. The Centre ‘A’ comprised Niger, Kwara and Kogi states.

The proposed states are Kainji and Edu from the present Niger and Kebbi states; Okura and Okun from the current Kogi State and Ifesuwakpo to be created out of the current Kwara State.

The Chairman Steering Committee for the Movement for the creation of Kainji State, Amb. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, former deputy governor of Niger State, said the Kainji State which should be made up of Borgu and Kontagora Emirates in Niger State and Zuru Emirate in Kebbi State, would reduce the ungoverned spaces currently being occupied by bandits and facilitate the fight against insurgency.

Kogi State governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by the Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Muzi Yinus Abdullahi (SAN), advocated for creation of state police to improve the security situation in the country.

He also called for constitutional power for the state to legislate and control the mining activities in Kogi State. “A sector such as mining which is significant economic activity in Kogi State, both the federal and state governments should have the authority to legislate and regulate,” he said.

In his presentation, the Niger State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Nasiru Mu’azu, who represented the state governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, said their memorandum covered the need for restructuring, devolution of powers, state police, fiscal federalism, local government autonomy, and the electoral process.

The House Committee Consultant, Prof. Kathleen Okafor, also presented the summarized compendium of bills before the House, explaining that it contained some thematic areas based on evolving needs, such as electoral, judicial, legislative and physical reforms.

Other areas were inclusive governance, strengthening of institutions, the role of rural communities, traditional institutions, citizenship and indigenship, fundamental rights, and many others.

Similarly, Saba Mohammed Umar, State Coordinator of Youth Electoral Project, proposed that appointment of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not be done by the executive arm of government to avoid imposition of interest in the appointment.

The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, represented by the Niger State Chairman of the NLC, Idrees Lafene, opposed the plan to remove the Labour provisions in Schedule 1, Item 34 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List.

North West

During the North West zone ‘A’ public hearing of the House of Representatives held in Kaduna, stakeholders demanded for new states creation, state police, and the reservation of legislative seats for women.

Delegations from Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Kaduna states submitted memoranda on constitutional amendments, particularly focusing on decentralisation and inclusive governance.

The hearing, chaired by the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Madaki Aliyu, who led the subcommittee on the review, attracted wide participation, including youth organisations, labour unions, religious councils, legal experts and women groups.

In his opening remarks, Hon. Madaki Aliyu said the committee would be reviewing 86 bills across 13 thematic areas, which include electoral and judicial reforms, legislature, security and policing, devolution of powers, traditional institutions, fiscal reforms, and local government reforms, among others.

Alhaji Sani Kadanya, who led the Kano delegation advocating for the creation of Ghari State out of the current Kano State, argued that Kano, being one of the most homogeneous and populous states created in 1967, deserves to be subdivided.

Also, Southern Kaduna delegates under the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SUKAPU) submitted a detailed proposal seeking the creation of Gurara State. Senior lawyer Mark Jacob, who made the presentation on their behalf, said the proposal had overwhelming backing.

Representatives of the Kajuru Emirate Council in Southern Kaduna also submitted a memorandum expressing their desire to remain under the Zazzau Emirate within the proposed New Kaduna State, rather than being included in the proposed Gurara State.

However, a counter-position came from the Muslim Ummah of Southern Kaduna. Representing the group, Shuaibu Dabo said Muslims in Southern Kaduna who make up about 30 percent of the population have agreed to align with the demand for the creation of Gurara State.

Lt. Col. Shehu Ibrahim (rtd) of the Kaduna Development Initiative, however, supported the Gurara proposal while calling for a second state New Kaduna to emerge from the split.

Former Supreme Court Justice Saminu Sanusi (rtd) also made a case for the creation of Kar’adua State from the Funtua Zone in Southern Katsina.

From Jigawa, an elder statesman, Mallam Musa Shuaibu, renewed a four-decade-old request for the creation of Hadeija State.

Alhaji Kabiru Ado also proposed Bayajidda State to be carved from parts of Katsina and Jigawa. He argued that the proposal, first made in 1991, would promote equity and inclusive governance.

A labour leader and chairman of the Chika State Creation Movement, Alhaji Baffa Sani Gaya, in his presentation advocated for the creation of a new state from the present Kano State.

The Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Nuhu Ahmad Bamalli, who also serves as the Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers in Kaduna State, called for a defined constitutional role for traditional rulers in the country.

A former Minister for Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Ismail, who spoke on behalf of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), said the forum supports the creation of state police. (Daily Trust)