The governments of Bayelsa, Delta and Edo states, at the weekend, insisted on and demanded a proper fiscal federalism and resource control wherein states are allowed to control and manage their resources and pay taxes to the Federal Government during the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review public hearing.

The states, which spoke at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, the Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the venue of the public hearing for South-South Zone A, comprising Bayelsa, Delta and Edo states, also demanded, among other things, state police, devolution of powers to federating units, increased derivation formula, judicial and electoral reforms and creation of local council areas.

Other groups which also canvassed these issues during the hearing were ethnic nationalities, traditional rulers, pressure groups, women, and youth groups.

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, in his remarks, advocated that the constitutional review process should create opportunities to address the injustices suffered by the people of the Niger Delta, the inequitable distribution of resources, the need for fiscal federalism, and for states to be saddled with the responsibilities of creating local councils they can adequately fund.

On his part, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State advocated the creation of new states, greater inclusion of women and persons with disabilities in governance, and the establishment of state police as part of ongoing efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution.

SIMILARLY, a women’s group, Reserve Seats for Women Advocacy Coalition, advocated for a constitutional amendment to address the under-representation of South-East women in the state and national assemblies.

The body stressed the urgent need to reserve special seats at both the state and national assemblies.

The coordinator of the body, Dr Adaora Onyechere Sydney-Jack, made the call in a paper she submitted on behalf of the group to the South-east Centre B public hearing held in Owerri at the weekend.

MEANWHILE, the Think Yoruba First Organisation Worldwide (TYF) has condemned the proposed bill aimed at granting indigene status to any Nigerian who has lived in a state for at least 10 years.

The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, was on Saturday backed by the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma.

Speaking at the South-East Zonal Public hearing for Imo and Abia on the Constitution Review held in Owerri, the governor called for a redefinition of indigeneity, suggesting that anyone born in a state or has lived in a state for upwards of 10 years should be considered a legitimate indigene of that state.

“We should not be seen to be speaking from two sides of our mouth. We need to legally define indigeneity by birth or long-term residence,” he stated.

But, in a statement yesterday signed by TYF’s Public Relations Officer, Ogbeni Oluwole Lewis, the group described the bill as an “expansionist agenda” aimed at depriving many of their birthright.

The organisation claimed that an overwhelming 94 per cent of Yoruba reject the bill, with over 70 per cent preferring to exist as a separate entity rather than considering such a proposal. (The Guardian)