The clamour for the creation of more states, local governments, state police, and other demands topped the agenda on Friday at the commencement of the public hearing in the South West for the review of the 1999 constitution.
Stakeholders in the region, at the well-attended public hearing, called for the creation of more states, local governments, state police, and the inclusion of constitutional roles for traditional rulers.
Declaring the public hearing open in Lagos on Friday, the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged the Senate committee reviewing the constitution and participants to be guided by the principles of inclusiveness, equity, and justice in making inputs into the constitution amendment.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, listed some of the nation’s challenges as “the pursuit of genuine federalism and the devolution of powers; empowering and enhancing our local governments; establishing new states to bring governance closer to the people; reforming our electoral and judicial systems; boosting the involvement of women and youth in our political landscape; ensuring the security and welfare of our citizens, including the crucial discussion around state policing, [and] inclusion of constitutional roles for traditional rulers.”
According to him, the issues go beyond just constitutional concerns.
“They strike at the heart of what it means to be Nigerian. It reflects our shared aspiration for a fairer, more equitable, and thriving nation,” he said.
Dwelling on the need to create more local governments in Lagos State, the governor said, “For us in Lagos State, it must be stated that we are requesting unequivocally for the listing of our 37 local government council development areas. They were created in 2003, about 22 years ago, with the intent of delivering dividends of democracy to the grassroots. These are children that have been given birth to, they have been nurtured, and they have grown. It will be unfair not to give them birth certificates.”
Earlier, Deputy Senate President Barau Jubrin, who was represented by the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said the Senate had received hundreds of memoranda addressing key issues that had not yet been resolved by previous amendments, mainly due to lack of national consensus and the evolving dynamics of modern governance.
He said the two-day hearing was simultaneously being held across the six geopolitical zones: Enugu, Kano, Jos, Lagos, Ikot-Ekpene, and Maiduguri.
Senator Jubrin corroborated the governor’s assertion that several key issues need to be addressed, including electoral reforms and adjudication; judicial reforms focused on case management and administration; enhancements to local government administration; the involvement of traditional institutions in contemporary governance; promoting human rights; ensuring gender equity and inclusion in governance; the devolution and distribution of powers; the structure of our federation; and concerns related to security and policing.
He further stated that the Committee’s mandate was to foster a broad national consensus, rather than echo the voices of a powerful minority that dominate media platforms.
“This context guided the Committee as it sought memoranda and proposals from Nigerians on potential constitutional changes aimed at enhancing good governance and promoting the welfare of all individuals, rooted in the principles of freedom, equality, and justice,” Senator Jubrin said.
Speaking at the public hearing, Speakers of State Houses of Assembly in the South West – Hon. Oladiji Olumide Adesanmi (Ondo), Hon. Adeoye Stephen Aribasoye (Ekiti), Hon. Oludaisi Olusegun Elemide (Ogun), and Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun (Osun) – said the gathering demonstrated the commitment to deliver a Nigeria that works for all.
They also pledged to diligently work on the amended constitution, pass the bills, and ensure they are signed into law once sent to the state assemblies.
Traditional Rulers Insist on Roles
As the constitution amendment process gathers pace, the traditional institution has made a strong case for inclusion in formal governance.
The Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, called for traditional rulers to be given a role in the new constitution even as he pledged that they would continue to do their best for Nigerians.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, in his submission, commended the government for seeking the input of traditional rulers in the exercise.
He also advocated for the role of traditional rulers in the constitution and expressed the readiness of traditional institutions to assist the government in meeting the people’s needs.
For his part, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, His Majesty Kabiru Shotobi, recalled that two years ago, traditional rulers had appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure traditional institutions are given a role in the constitution.
He urged the Senate committee on the review of the constitution to take the role of traditional rulers personally.
“You can lobby on our behalf. The role of traditional rulers is national and we must be taken care of because we do a lot on behalf of our people. We are ready to serve the people of Nigeria,” His Majesty Shotobi said.
Constitution Will Reflect People’s Wishes – Sen Daniel
For his part, Senator Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East) said the constitution, when amended, would reflect the people’s wishes, adding that the president is committed to having a formidable constitution.
While making a case for the creation of Ijebu State, Senator Daniel said the Ijebu axis of Ogun State was the only province of the old provinces that had not been made a state.
Abiola Afolabi, who represented civil society groups in the South West, called for affirmative action (more women’s representation in government) to be included in the constitution.
Amendment Will Guarantee Just Federation, Says Akpabio
At the South-South session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed optimism that the review of the 1999 Constitution being embarked upon by the National Assembly would guarantee the evolution of a more just, united, and forward-looking federation.
Akpabio made the remarks while declaring open the South South Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
The exercise was held simultaneously in five geopolitical zones across the country.
A statement by the special assistant on media/communication to the Senate President, Anietie Ekong, quoted Senator Akpabio as saying:
“Today’s event is not merely a formality; it is a democratic rite—a solemn moment in which the people, not politicians alone, speak into the soul of the nation. It is an affirmation that in a democracy every voice counts.
“Let us not forget that democracy is a work in progress. No constitution is eternal in its original form, and no democracy is perfect—because man himself is not perfect. But it is in our collective pursuit of perfection—that more perfect union—that the true beauty of democracy lies.
“Therefore, the review of our Constitution is not a sign of weakness, but of strength. It is not a complaint against the past, but a commitment to the future. We amend, not to abandon, but to realign—to adapt our national charter to the changing realities, dreams, and demands of the good people of Nigeria.”
Akpabio further stated that every Nigerian is a stakeholder in Nigeria’s democracy and that the public hearing “is a testament to the Senate’s unwavering belief that truth emerges not from silence, but from dialogue; not from monologue, but from the aggregation of honest opinions. That is why we are here—not as party men, but as patriots; not as political actors, but as nation-builders.”
For his part, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno described the Constitution review as an important moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey that must lead to a restructuring of the country.
He was represented by the deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi.
Gov. Eno said: “This zonal public hearing is not a mere procedural step in legislative activity. It is, in truth, an important moment in our democratic journey.
“The scores of constitution alteration bills across thirteen thematic areas—painstakingly curated by the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution—speak to some of the most urgent and persistent questions about the structure, efficiency, equity, and future of our federal union.
“These themes resonate deeply with the yearnings of the peoples of the South-South. Indeed, they mirror longstanding calls from this region for a more just, responsive, and restructured Nigeria, where every federating unit can flourish, contribute meaningfully, and feel a sense of belonging.”
Deputy Senate President and chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Barau Jubrin, listed some key areas that the Constitution review would address.
Barau was represented by the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East, Aniekan Bassey.
Several interest groups presented their memoranda at the zonal public hearing. Issues covered included state creation, local government autonomy, gender inclusion, and the role of traditional rulers.
North East Agitators Demand Creation of 4 More States
State creation agitators in the North East region have called for the creation of four more states, including Savannah State to be carved out from Borno, Amana State from Adamawa, Katagum State from Bauchi, and Kwararafa State from Taraba.
The agitators presented their demands on Friday during the opening of a two-day Zonal Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 constitution which held in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The director of media and publicity, Amana State Movement, Ahmad Sajor, said the demand for the creation of a state from Adamawa and Uba Chiefdom of Borno State stemmed from the need to correct historical injustice meted out to the area by the Nigerian state.
“There is a breach of trust on the part of the Nigerian Nation that promised that the area in question, which voted willingly to join Nigeria through a United Nations-conducted plebiscite on 11th February 1961, was received by the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and other representatives of the Nigerian government with a pledge that the area will remain a distinct entity as a province or state within the Nigerian Nation and that the capital city of Mubi will remain equal to other capitals such as Kano, Katsina, and Ilorin,” he said.
“Unfortunately, both promises have not been kept by the Nigerian Nation,” he said.
Consequently, Sajor described the agitation as “the correction of historical injustice meted on the area by the Nigerian State.”
Other movements demanding the creation of states were sighted with placards and crested shirts with inscriptions calling for the approval of their demand by the National Assembly.
A member of the group demanding the creation of Katangum State from Bauchi State said, if approved, the people would be forever glad.
“Our demands are not much. We want Katangum State. We believe in the current Assembly, and we are certain that after reviewing our request, they will grant us our wish,” the man, who pleaded not to be named, said.
The hearing was attended by prominent leaders in the North East, including the governor of Borno State, who was represented by his deputy, Usman Kadafur; Senators of the three Senatorial districts in Borno; former Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi State; and Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi, among others.
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