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While the constitutional reform efforts collect momentum, the Senate Committee for the Constitution (CRC) has announced the reception of 49 new proposals for the creation of new states and areas of the local government (LGA) throughout the country, in view of its zonal public hearings that hold from 4 to 5 July.
According to a declaration issued on Thursday by the media office of the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Committee received 31 separate proposals for state creation and 18 for new LGA from different ethnic groups and of interest throughout Nigeria.
Public hearings, an important phase in the ongoing constitutional amendment process, are taking place simultaneously in the six geopolitical areas. The designated cities host the sessions: Enugu (South-East), Ikot Ekpene-Akwa Ibom (South-South), Jos (Centro Nord), Maiduguri (North-East) and Kano (North-West). The hearing of the Southwest is coordinated under the supervision of Senator Bamidele.
However, the north-western hearing was postponed in honor of the deceased statesman and commercial icon, Alhaji Aminu Dantata.
Other coordinated senators include the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio (South-South), the deputy head of the Plum Peter Nwebonyi (South-East), the vice leader of the Senate Oyelola Ashiru (Centro Nord), the Whip Tahir Monguno head (North-East) and the vice president of the Senate Barau Jebrin (North-West).
By providing further clarity, Senator Bamidele revealed that the 31 proposals for state creation are distributed as follows: Center-North (8), North-East (6), North-West (6), South-East (5), South-South (6) and South-West (4).
Among these is a considerable presentation by the interested parties of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who asks for its recognition as a full state.
In the case of new LGA, the break is: North-West (7), Central-North (5), South-South (3), South-East (1), South-West (1) and North-East (1).
The proposals, according to the Committee, reflect the growing agitation for decentralization, the improvement of governance and access to resources between the marginalized communities.
In addition to territorial adjustments, safety is at the top of the list of constitutional priorities. The Committee received a bill that tries to change the 1999 Constitution to allow the creation of the state police and other security agencies by state governments.
Another related proposal supports the establishment of state security advice to support governors in facing local security problems.
Senator Bamidele observed that the pressures for the localized police derive from the growing wave of insecurity, including bandit, kidnapping and community violence, which overwhelmed the federal police structures.
While some political leaders support the State Police as a solution to the Nigeria security crisis, critics warn that it could be used by governors to suppress opposition and reduce civil freedoms.
Currently, some regions took things in hand by forming regional security clothes such as Amatekun (South-West), Ebube AGU (South-East) and Hisbah (North-West).
The Committee is also weighing proposals for devolving powers from the Federal Government to States by transferring certain articles from the exclusive legislative list to the simultaneous list.
In particular, a bill recommends allowing federal and state governments to regulate activities on water courses, shipments and interstat work.
There is also a proposal that tries to guarantee the equality of representation for each local government in the Chamber of the State Assembly, to promote an equitable distribution of resources and inclusive governance.
In a significant move towards the expansion of political participation, the Committee is taking into consideration the proposals of independent candidacy and a diaspora vote.
The independent bill of candidacy would allow people to contest elective positions without party political affiliations, while the diaspora voting proposal aims to block millions of Nigerians who live abroad.
These proposals have been praised by supporters of the electoral reform who claim to be essential to strengthen democracy and legitimacy.
On governance, the panel is trying to change the constitution to force the presidents and governors to present annual appropriation invoices within a fixed period of time.
Another proposed amendment aims to reduce the period during which the executive can carry out withdrawals from the fund of the consolidated revenue without the legislative approval from six months to three.
A review of the derivation formula was also proposed, which would allow states to preserve a part of the revenues that generate internally, expanding their financial independence.
Senator Bamidele has assured that all the proposals presented will be critically revised during public hearings, in which traditional leaders, civil society organizations, professional bodies and the public in general should do their inputs.
“The committee is engaged in a transparent, inclusive and reactive amendment process that reflects the aspirations of all the Nigerians,” he said.
Following the hearings, the CRC will collect relationships, prepare its final recommendations and lay the foundations for the constitutional amendments in line with the legislative procedures.
Nigeria currently manages a federal structure with 36 states, 774 LGA and the FCT, which is administered by a minister.
However, requests for renovation, decentralization and greater basic autonomy continue to model the national conversation.
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