THE PEOPLE of Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone have demanded for a constitution that allows rotation of presidency and grant full autonomy to local governments in the country.
They made the request during the South-East Zonal Public Hearing on Review of the 1999 Constitution, organised by the Senate on Friday in Enugu.
Speaking during the exercise, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, noted that the concept of rotational presidency is paramount to the people of the South East.
The governor said the state believed that adopting a rotational presidency among the six geopolitical zones would provide every region, including the South East, a fair chance at the highest office in the country.
Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, added that the idea would foster a greater sense of belonging and national unity.
“Similarly, we propose that governorship should rotate among senatorial zones and legislative seats among constituencies, ensuring broader representation and participation at all levels of governance.
“To further enhance inclusivity, particularly for women, we propose legislative seats. We advocate for one additional Senate seat per state for women and two additional House of Representatives seats per state.
“As a state, we advocate for three additional assembly seats per state for women. This measure will significantly boost gender parity and ensure active participation of women in governance and in decision-making processes,” Mbah said.
The governor also called for institutionalisation of Local Government Councils as a truly autonomous form of government team.
According to him, the current practice where state governors meant for local governments and appoint caretaker committees instead of elected representatives and hinder grassroots development.
“We urge the committee to reinforce section 1999 constitution to ensure the democratic existence of local governments, allowing them to directly access their funds from the national consolidated account,” Mbah said.
The governor equally called for legislative powers, enhancements, and fiscal reforms that would devolve more powers and resources to the states.
He stressed that the current concentration of power at the centre, a legacy of the military rule, had stifled the growth and development of sub-national entities.
“A true federal system requires that states are autonomous entities with sufficient powers and resources to positively impact the lives of their citizens,” he concluded.
On his part, Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, called for creation of an additional state in the Southeast to make them at par with other geopolitical zones of the country.
Nwifuru, represented by the Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr Moses Odunwa, also called for women inclusiveness and reserved political seats for women.
“If a particular seat has been designated for women, all the parties will feature women candidates to fill in the space,” he said.
The public hearing was attended by government officials, traditional rulers, NGOs and the Civil Society Organisations. (NAN)
