Constitution Review: Ovation greets Uzodimma’s call for more South East States, rotational presidency, others

…Kalu urges stakeholders to feel free to speak their minds in public hearing

Loud ovation on Saturday greeted the call by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State for the creation of additional States in the South East as well as the making of rotational presidency in Nigeria a constitutional matter.

It was also on a day Senator Uzodinma, Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, said that the issues of indigeneship and State Police in Nigeria should be taken more seriously, and that the lawmakers working on the Constitution review should strive to fashion that truly reflects the thinking of the people.

However, in calling for urgent constitutional reforms to address the grievances of the Igbo people to guarantee inclusivity, justice, and equity in the Constitution, Governor Uzodimma said he does not belong to the group seeking for outright scrapping of Nigeria’s existing statute book as no Constitution, all over the world, is perfect.

Speaking at the public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution in Owerri on Saturday, July 19, 2025, Uzodinma advocated for the creation of at least two additional States in the South East zone to address underrepresentation in national institutions.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu declared the Public Hearing for stakeholders from Imo and Abia States open. Kalu came with other members of the House of Representatives Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution of which he is Chairman.

In his well articulated speech, Governor Uzodimma further proposed a legal definition of indigeneship based on birth or long-term residence (10 years) to promote inclusivity; while also calling for the constitutional entrenchment of rotational presidency among the six geopolitical zones to promote national stability.

On the issue of State policing, the Imo State Governor supported the decentralisation of police powers for greater responsiveness and effectiveness.

He urged the National Assembly to consider these proposals as part of the constitutional review process, emphasising that a constitution that reflects the values and aspirations of all Nigerians is essential for national stability and progress.

“Our diversity is our strength, not our weakness. But that strength must be harnessed through law and equity. Therefore, our Constitution must reflect our shared values, not just our shared borders,” Uzodinma stressed.

He further called on Ndigbo to take advantage of the ongoing constitutional review to seek redress for their long-standing grievance and shun threats of secession and violence, insisting on their using the constitutional review process to articulate their demands peacefully.

Governor Uzodimma’s speech read:

“It is my utmost pleasure to welcome all the members of the National Assembly who are in Owerri today to preside over this public hearing on proposed further alterations to the 1999 Constitution, as amended. This hearing, which covers Imo and Abia States, provides a valuable opportunity for our people to contribute meaningfully to the process of building a constitution that equitably serves the interests of all Nigerians.

“This is democracy at work, and democracy thrives only where justice and fairness prevail. On behalf of the government and the good people of Imo State, I say to you: Unu abiala.

“I also welcome our brothers and sisters from Abia State, who are here in their numbers. Until a few years ago, Owerri served as the capital of us all. Today, we have Umuahia and Abakaliki as capitals of new states. Through our collective efforts, perhaps we shall soon have more state capitals like Orlu, Aba, Nsukka, and more. I believe that this is the prayer of the entire South East, and it shall come to pass by the grace of God.

“Let me commend the National Assembly for its sustained efforts to deepen democracy through periodic constitutional reviews. I recall that this is the sixth major review since 1999. That speaks volumes about your responsiveness to the wishes of the people. I salute your diligence.

“As we all know, there are differing views across Nigeria about what our Constitution should reflect in order to fortify our young democracy. These perspectives mirror both the richness of our diversity and the inadequacies of a legal framework that often leaves many citizens feeling unprotected or unaccommodated in project Nigeria. Albeit, I must add that I am not among those who call for a wholesale scrapping of the current Constitution.

“Like most constitutions around the world, ours is a work in progress. Let us continue to build on it, and today’s hearing is part of that noble effort. There is no perfect Constitution anywhere in the world. This is the reason for the existence of parliaments all over the world.

“Our people in Imo and Abia States, and indeed the South East, have clear expectations. I believe the time has come to address them with urgency, sincerity, and justice.

“First, the issue of state creation. It bears repeating that the southeast remains the only geopolitical zone with five states. Every other zone has six or more. This imbalance has led to underrepresentation in critical national institutions, from the National Assembly to the Federal Executive Council.

” It has shrunk our voice and abridged our inclusivity. Therefore, it’s only fair and just that we ask for the creation of at least two additional states in the South East. It is my well considered submission that Anim State should be one of the new states to be created. This is one state that will have an oil-producing status upon creation. This makes it commercially viable, with sufficient revenue base to self sustain. This should naturally go hand in hand with the creation of new local government areas for the zone.

“The second issue is the matter of indigeneship. Our subsisting constitution guarantees every citizen the right to live and work in any part of the country. But in practice, those born and raised in a place where their grandparents may not have originated from are still regarded and treated as non-indigenes.

“That cannot be in tandem with the spirit of brotherhood we boldly recite in our national anthem. We should not be seen to be speaking from two sides of our mouth.
We need to legally define indegeneship by birth or long-term residence – say, ten years. Anyone born in a state or has lived in a state for upwards of ten years should be a legitimate indigene of that state. This is common practice in advanced democracies.

“It was also becoming the norm in our pre-first Republic years, until that Republic was cut short. How else did Mallam Umaru Altine become the Mayor of Enugu in 1952 if not because he was accepted as an indigene of Enugu? That tells us something profound about our potential for unity if only the constitution can catch up with our history. I therefore urge this committee to seriously consider this matter as part of the proposed constitutional amendments.

“Third, I wish to call for the constitutional entrenchment of rotational presidency, not along the ambiguous North–South divide, but along our six established geopolitical zones. This is not about tokenism but national stability. Already, zoning has helped calm nerves over federal appointments. If Nigerians know that the presidency will rotate among the six zones, it will remove the fear of domination and deepen the sense of inclusion in the country.

“In addition, the time has come for us to take decisive steps on State Police. The current centralised policing structure is overstretched and often disconnected from local realities. As the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, I can confirm that we support the decentralisation of the police for greater responsiveness and effectiveness. The fear that governors will misuse such a force is unfounded and frankly outdated. We cannot allow the past to paralyse the future when our citizens are crying out for safety and order at the grassroots.

“Distinguished Honourable Members of the National Assembly, ladies and gentlemen, our diversity is our strength, not our weakness. But that strength must be harnessed through law and equity. Therefore, our Constitution must reflect our shared values, not just our shared borders.

“Distinguished Honourable Members, as you tour the country on this important assignment, may you be guided by the hope of millions who seek a Constitution that truly belongs to them: one that ensures fairness, equity, and a level playing field for all.

“I know you have the vision and courage to deliver this. May God grant you the wisdom to succeed. I wish you a memorable stay in Owerri, the capital city of hospitality in the East.”

In his Presentation, the Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu also advocated for inclusive Constitution, State Police and free and compulsory universal basic education in the Constitution Review.

He however stressed the need for Federal Government to mitigate potential issues likely to arise with the State Policing by proposing the establishment of legal safeguards, oversight committees and structured command model to check abuses.

In his opening remarks, the House Committee Chairman on the 1999 Constitution Review and Deputy Speaker House of Representative, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu recalled the historic journey made by the nation to determine the destiny of the people of Nigeria and to close the gap in our legal system as well as strengthen the sacred duty of the constitution.

Kalu noted that the Committee, since it’s inauguration, has made genuine efforts to represent every concerns through inclusive engagement of all sectors of the society in the Constitution amendment process.

He maintained that the Constitution should be a social contract that reflects contemporary realities, the desires and aspirations of every Nigerian, and a moral engagement for our future. He therefore urged all to feel free to present their ideas and recommendations on the key areas of Gender Equality, Judicial and Fiscal Reforms, Security and Policing, Devolution of Powers and Citizen Engagement.

Chief Chris Uche SAN, Consultation to the Committee, gave an overview of the total of 82 bills which were put together by the House of Representatives for review and commended the Committee members for their passion to undertake the historic and solemn task.

Chief Uche equally thanked Governor Uzodimma for hosting the South East Centre B Public Hearing, and expressed optimism that the reform will bring about renewed faith in the Country.

Some of the thematic areas Chief Uche highlighted include; Electoral reforms, Judicial Reforms, Local Government Reforms, State Policing and Security, Bills to strengthen the Traditional Institutions, Fiscal Reforms, Fundamental Rights/Citizenships, and bill to embolden INEC to produce free and fair elections.

The event had a technical session where different stakeholders and groups participated and made their presentations.

The Senator representing Imo West in the National Assembly, Senator Osita Izunaso in his goodwill message supported Governor Uzodimma in his presentation for the creation of more States, rotational presidency and bill to provide immunity for certain political office; while the Chairman Imo Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Emmanuel Okeke advocated for the expansion of the functions of traditional rulers, and for the amendment to make traditional council an advisory body to the government.

Representative of Nigerian Labour Congress in the South East Zone, Comrade Uche Chigaemezu on behalf of the Union advocated for the transfer of Labour and Industrial relation from exclusive list to the concurrent list to allow States to regulate labour issues more effectively.

Others who spoke include; representatives of TUC, NULGE, NUT, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Faith Based Organizations, Women Groups and Organised Private Sectors.

The Public Hearing was well attended by stakeholders from Imo and Abia States.

Oguwike Nwachuku
Chief Press Secretary/ Special Adviser Media to the Governor
July 19, 2025.