The Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, advocates for state policing, rotational presidency, and the creation of an additional state for the South East geopolitical zone.
Governor Mbah stated this on Thursday when he received in audience members of the Senate Committee on Constitution Amendment, led by Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, at the Government House Enugu, ahead of the South East Zonal Public Hearing scheduled to hold in Enugu this weekend.
Restating strong support for key constitutional reforms that will promote equity, security, and unity across the country, the State Governor said the idea of state policing excites him the most.
“We have ardently advocated for states to create state police services, just like the federal police, but with defined jurisdictions and operational parameters. We think that this is overdue, and there could not be a better time for it, given the fragilities in our communities.”
The South East is the only geopolitical zone with only five states; hence, the Governor advocates for the creation of another state: “There is a need to correct the long-standing injustice of the South East having only five states, unlike all other geopolitical zones. This is something we believe ought to be corrected through the current constitutional amendment process.”
He further stated, “We are also convinced that the idea of rotational presidency is important to provide the South East and every other region in the country a fair chance at the presidency.”
Commending the Constitution Amendment, the Enugu State Government has promised to participate fully in the public hearing and to formally present its position on these and other matters listed for amendment.
Earlier, the Senate Deputy Chief Whip and leader of the delegation, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, explained the mission of the Committee.
“We are in Enugu to get the inputs of the people of the South East into the constitution amendment process,” Senator Nwebonyi said.
“The 1999 constitution has received a lot of criticism from Nigerians, including that it is the product of military dictatorship and, as such, does not represent the interests of all the segments that make up Nigeria.”
“As a result of these criticisms, there is a need to amend the constitution from time to time.”
“We pray that this engagement will afford us the people of South East the opportunity to right some wrongs as a result of the position of the 1999
