During a significant meeting with the Senate Committee on Constitution Amendment in Enugu on Thursday, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State made a strong case for the creation of an additional state in the South East geopolitical zone. His argument focused on bringing the region into parity with other areas of Nigeria, which currently have more states.
Mbah also advocated for the establishment of state police forces, emphasizing their potential to improve security and foster a sense of belonging among citizens. “We have advocated fervently that there is need for states to create state police services, just as you have the federal police, but with defined jurisdictions and operational parameters,” he said. He described this reform as “overdue” and particularly necessary given the fragile security situation in many communities.
The governor also supported the idea of a rotational presidency system to ensure equitable political representation. “We think that will give the Southeast and every other region a chance at the presidency,” he said, underscoring the importance of inclusivity in Nigeria’s leadership.
The Senate Committee, led by Deputy Chief Whip Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, visited Enugu as part of their efforts to solicit views from the South East ahead of a regional public hearing on constitutional amendments. Nwebonyi acknowledged the widespread criticism of the 1999 constitution, noting it was “the product of military dictatorship” and has failed to represent the interests of all Nigerians fairly.
Highlighting the concerns of the South East, Nwebonyi stated, “People of the Southeast are crying foul that we are being marginalised in so many areas, particularly as it relates to the number of states, juxtaposing the same with other geopolitical zones of Nigeria.” The committee’s visit aims to incorporate such feedback into the ongoing amendment process.