The South-East region of Nigeria has strongly advocated for a constitutional amendment that would establish a rotational presidency and grant full autonomy to local governments, as part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.
The demand was made during the South-East Zonal Public Hearing on Constitutional Review, organised by the Nigerian Senate and held on Friday in Enugu.
Rotational Presidency Key to National Unity – Governor Mbah
Speaking at the hearing, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, emphasized that rotational presidency among the six geopolitical zones would ensure fair and inclusive representation at the national level.
“This proposal will promote unity, equity, and give every zone—including the South-East—a fair chance to occupy the highest political office in the country,” he said.
Governor Mbah also called for the rotation of governorship positions among senatorial zones and legislative seats among constituencies to foster balanced political representation.
- Gender Inclusion: Additional Seats for Women Advocated
- To boost women’s political participation, Mbah proposed the creation of:
- One additional Senate seat per state for women
- Two additional House of Representatives seats per state for women
- Three additional State Assembly seats per state for women
These measures, he said, would help achieve gender parity in Nigerian politics and promote inclusive governance.
Full Autonomy for Local Governments
Mbah also advocated for the institutionalisation of truly autonomous local governments, criticizing the current system where state governors appoint caretaker committees instead of democratically elected councils.
- “We urge the Senate committee to reinforce constitutional provisions that mandate the democratic existence of local governments and allow them direct access to their funds from the National Consolidated Account,” he added.
- He further called for fiscal reforms and devolution of powers, arguing that centralized governance—a legacy of military rule—has stifled sub-national development.
- “A true federal system must empower states with sufficient legislative authority and financial resources to effectively serve their people.”
Ebonyi State Calls for New State in the South-East
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, represented by the Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Moses Odunwa, echoed the call for reserved political seats for women, and demanded the creation of an additional state in the South-East to bring the region at par with other geopolitical zones.
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“Some zones have six or seven states, but the South-East has only five. This imbalance should be corrected,” he said.
Senate Committee Promises Inclusive Review
Peter Nwaebonyi, Chairman of the South-East Zonal Public Hearing Committee, explained that the hearing was to gather regional input into the constitutional amendment process. He encouraged all stakeholders to speak up on issues affecting the region’s development.
The event was attended by government officials, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and non-governmental organisations from across the region.
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