From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The two-day constitutional amendment sittings which provided opportunity for public hearing at special centers across the six geo-political zones of the country, held simultaneously on Friday, July 4 to Saturday, 5th July 2025, recorded a huge success in the South East zone.
One of the halls at the Enugu state version of the International Conference Center, built by Governor Peter Mbah, was ‘jam-packed’ both inside and outside with dignatories and associations from the five South Eastern states and parts of Delta, with burning desires to make inputs in the public hearing.
The chairman of the South East Committee on the 1999 Constitution Amendment, Senator Peter Nwebonyi, stressed that Senator Godswill Akpabio led 10th Senate of the National Assembly decided to embark on the project,so as to satisfy the yearnings of most Nigerians on issues relating to governance since the 1999 Constitution which ushered in the 4th democratic dispensation was prepared by the military administration is greatly flawed and incapacitated in treating several issues in our contemporary,democratically.
Senator Nwebonyi disclosed that his committee received a total of 59 bills to to be discussed at the South East zone public hearing.
An affirmation for an additional state to be created in the South East zone to equalise it with other zones with six states and North West with seven states was acknowledged by all the dignatories, organizations from all walks of life who were represented at the public hearing.
However, the state or location in the zone from which the new state will be created became the first subject of discussion
A former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Nnia Nwodo, submitted for Adada state to be created out of the present Enugu state.
He explained that the proposed Adada state should comprise of the Nsukka Cultural zone in other words,the present Enugu North Senatorial district with Isi Uzo local government area in Enugu East Senatorial district because of it’s cultural relationship with Nsukka.
He said Isi Uzo clan originally belongs to Nsukka Cultural zone, before it was delineated to be part of Enugu East Senatorial district.
Dr Nwodo stated that the proposed Adada state has a large population, with great land mass for massive agricultural production. That it is also blessed with lots of mineral deposits yet untapped and a seaport unutilized.
His words, “There are several reasons for the creation of Adada state.In the last creation of states in the South East zone,the Northern part of Igbo comprising Enugu and Ebonyi ended up with two states while the rest of the Southern parts of Igbo land got three states.When you share things among your children and there is no equity,you bring anger and desperation.
“The Adada state we ask for as seven out of the 17 local government areas in Enugu state. Six of the local governments are in Adada and one in Enugu East Senatorial zone.We suffered serious injustice in the creation of constituencies here because as usual, no Nsukka man was at the federal executive. Now you will be surprised that out of the 17 local governments in Enugu state, we have only six but we have 56 percent of the population. So the other two senators represent 44 percent of Enugu state population and our own senator represents 56 percent because they took away one local government to make up Enugu East Senatorial zone”.
Dr Nwodo asserted that the equalisation state for South East zone should be left for Northern Igbo(Enugu and Ebonyi)states to decide,stating that the Southern Igbo comprising of Abia, Anambra and I’m states already are three.
He stated,”Therefore for anybody in Igbo South to ask for a state here(public hearing) is an injury.When we started this movement was after Abia,Imo and Anambra states were created.
“We approached the National Assembly under David Mark,under Ahmed Lawal and they gave us attention and considered our programmes and submissions but the government in power did not have state creation as paramount agenda as you appear to have now.
“We are hoping that your efforts will give us dividends.We approached the National Constitutional conference in 2014 under Justice Idris Kutiga, who recommended the creation of Adada state”.
The former President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide,Dll Nwodo, disclosed that a meeting of the entire Igbo nation at Owerri, the Imo state capital,when Achike Udenwa was Governor of the state,it was generally accepted that Adada state should be the next state to be created in Igbo land and there has not been any other gathering of Ndigbo since thereafter where the resolution was changed.
“Adada is the weeping and neglected part of the South East zone”,Nwodo asserted.
Another demand for creation of additional state in the South East zone which drew the empathy and sympathy of the participants was the demand for Anioma state, presented by a host of Traditional rulers from Delta State.
The group stressed they share have a common cultural heritage with the Igbo tribe of the South East,even though they situates across the River Niger. On the basis of which the Urhobos and other ethnicities in the Delta who claims to be Yorubas,discriminates against them,who are of Itsekiri tribe.
In their submission for creation of Anioma state, the group said they are over one million, two hundred thousand in population,have stable farmland and mineral deposits that can sustain them.
Speaking to news men thereafter, one of the stakeholders,who gave his name as Ugoh Isikwaya, said their request for Anioma state and to be absorbed among the Igbo tribes has taken over 50 years. He expressed gratitude to Senator Need Nwoko for reviving the agitation at the moment.
On why they decided to bring their plight to the South East zone center of the Constitution Review Committee,he stressed that they equally send a delegation to the South South center on same bill. However, he expressed hope that their request will also be tolerated from the South East center on public hearing of the 1999 Constitution Review Committee.
In addition, bills for additional state in the South East zone to be called Aba state and ANIM state we’re presented by two other groups.
The proposal for establishment of State Police as a measure of curbing the rising state of insecurity in the country was deliberated. It was unaimously endorsed as a solution to the present security menace in the country, working in harmony with the present federal police.
Chief Nnia Nwodo condemned the avalanche of security posts manned by the police and other security agencies on the major highways, whereas the criminals are rooted in the bushes,committing one crime or another.
Chief Nwodo said the creation of state police will entail training indigent police officers who knows the terrain in most of the villages, to expose those criminals.
A bill to empower traditional rulers with some roles enshrined in the Constitution was also presented.
His Royal Highness, Igwe Cosmos Agwu from Okposi community in Ebonyi state,told newsmen that a constitutional provision that will empower traditional rulers to deal with criminals will help to curtail the scourge insecurity in the nation.
“When empowered,we can have our own local vigilante to monitor the activities of suspected criminals in our respective communities, arrest them and punish them or refer the incidence to higher law enforcement agencies,depending on the level of crime, he or she commited”, Igwe Cosmos Agwu stated.
A bill to empower Nigerian women political by establishing reserved seats for them in both the National and State Assemblies took the center stage.
A presentation made by Women”s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) was delivered by the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist (WRAPA,) Enugu State chapter, Lady Faith Joshua-Uba on behalf of delegates from partner civil society organisations and women’s networks across multiple states.
They appreciated the leadership of the National Assembly and State Governors for prioritizing inclusive governance through the Additional/Reserved Seats Bill, among other critical bills under the review of the 1999 Constitution.
She stated,”This Bill is pivotal. If passed, it will position Nigeria for accelerated, inclusive development, aligning us with other progressive nations advancing gender-balanced governance.
” The Bill has received broad endorsement from public consultations, town halls convened across senatorial zones and thousands of citizens’ signatures nationwide”, she said..
She stated further,,”The passage of the Additional/Reserved Seats for Women proposes:37 additional Senate seats,one per state and FCT,74 additional House of Reps seats,two per state.108 additional State Assembly seats, three per state
“This affirmative action seeks to correct Nigeria’s alarming under representation of women in governance. We recommend a special constituency arrangement for these seats, with implementation after the current legislative term, lasting for 16 years across four election cycles, after which a national review will decide its future.
‘Our clear prayer is for accelerate passage, state adoption, and presidential assent”.
” This is not a women’s bill. it’s Nigeria’s opportunity for inclusive national development’,Ubah stated..
The group called for reform of NEC leadership appointments, saying the Current provisions under Sections 154(1) and 157 empower the President to appoint, risking political interference and public distrust.
“We propose an independent panel-led, merit-based selection process as recommended by the Justice Uwais Committee and practiced in Kenya, with clear criteria for academic qualifications, governance experience, integrity and neutrality”
On the bill for inclusion of People with Disabilities (PWD) in governance and fair treatment in other sectors, Chika Agbo, who is a chattered Accountant by profession, called for the alteration of the 1999 constitution to include special quota and seat in governance for people living with Disability.
She said PWDs are discriminated and under-represented in the political and social circles.
Mrs Agbo advocated for signhe women with language interpreters for the women’s with hearing impediments during antenatal.
Senator Nwaebonyi assured that the presentation from the PWD’s will receive due attention and called for a group photograph with them,so they can depart while the business of the committee continues thereafter.(See pix)
On Judicial Reforms, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Anambra State, Sylvia Ifebueme called for alteration of the 1999 constitution to provide the opportunity of every part of Nigeria especially those from the south East in rising to the higher echelon of the judiciary process.
As a means of achieving that the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria should be tenured to 5years.
The President,Enugu Court of Appeal, Justice Augustine Nnamani in his presentation,said the best way of expediting judgements in the law courts is to lessen the loads brought to the high courts.
He lamented that customary issues and Chieftancy tussles that are supposed to end at the Customary courts are very often transferred to the higher courts, thereby increasing the load before them.
A presentation for digitalisation of the Nigerian judiciary system to enhance quick dispensation of Justice was also presented.The presenter lamented that at this 21st century of ICT technology, Most Nigerian Judges writes on no pen and paper, thereby making thereby increasing their burden and indirectly delays the judiciary process.
Under Electoral Reform, Kosarachi Onwa called for Independence of INEC, stressing that Nigerians should participate in the process of choosing the Chairman of INEC.
He urged that the constitution be altered to grant financial authority to INEC to include direct approval of INEC budget by the National Assembly instead of the Presidency for independence of the Commission.
Also,a CSO member,Obinna Gabriel posited enfranchisement of people living overseas to enable them participate and cast their votes electronically during elections.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and many others made presentations.
The South East 1999 Constitution Review Committee led by Senator Peter Nwebonyi from all indications were choked with time. The two day public hearing was not enough, as many minor associations were still eager to make presentations as the event was drawn to a close on Tuesday evening.
Speaking to news men thereafter, Senator Victor Umeh,who played active roles in the two day sessions, commended the South Easterners for their massive turnout and peaceful conduct through out the sessions.
Rendering his view on the issue of additional state for the South East zone, Senator Umeh expressed optimism that the proposal which is long over due, will be realised this time around.
He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to also use his good office to veto the creation of additional state for South East zone, to equalise with other states while agitations and proposal for creation of more states in the respective zones of the state follows suit after critical review of the various proposals from each of the Geo political zones.
Senator Osita Izunaso who also spoke to news men, stressed the imperatives of an additional state to Igbo land as one of the parameters of ending the marginalisation of the Igbo tribe.
He concurred to the proposal for ANIM state,stating it will be carved out of the present Imo and Anambra states, because they have the highest number of local government areas.
On Judicial Reforms,he said the best idea is to reduce the work load of the Judges by budgeting funds for them to digitalise their operations. Also a proper division of Labour as such that the Supreme Court will have the power to attend to only constitutional matters, the customary courts to be charge cultural,custom and Chieftancy matters, etc.
Wrapping it up before news men, the chairman of the South East Committee on the 1999 Constitution Review, Senator Peter Nwebonyi stated,
“The South East wanted alteration of the 1999 Constitution which was a product of the military regime to address many issues not favourable to many Nigerians.
“Among the issues were State Creation; they wanted creation of additional state in the South East; State Police to enhance security, Rotational president to give people sense of belonging, Reserved Seats for Women, Electoral reform, Judicial reform, bill for positions for People living with Disabilities, autonomy of Independent National Electoral Commission,( INEC) among others.
He assured the 10th under Senator Godswill Akpabio will take a critical consideration on the merits and demerits of each of the presentations.
“The 1999 Constitution will not be dropped, rather , some provisions will be amended. The senate will look into the demands of the people and come up with acceptable Amendment.”
