Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has called for the creation of more states in the South-East to address what he described as structural imbalance in Nigeria’s geopolitical framework.
He made the call while receiving members of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, who were in the state as part of their nationwide public hearing.
“To end regional squabbles permanently, I urge the National Assembly to constitutionally address marginalization and structural imbalances,” the Governor said.
“Out of the six geopolitical zones in the country, only the South-East has five states. This anomaly breeds resentment and must be corrected.”
Governor Nwifuru also advocated for the rotation of the presidency among all six geopolitical zones as a measure to promote equity and national unity.
“It is unjust that since 1999, the South-East has not produced a president. What is the essence of the geopolitical zoning if every zone cannot have the opportunity to occupy the presidency?” He asked.
He further proposed a review of Section 308 of the Constitution to extend immunity to the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as their counterparts in the state assemblies.
Reiterating his position on the establishment of state police, Governor Nwifuru urged the National Assembly to provide constitutional backing for it, dismissing fears that state governors would misuse the security structure.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, said the team was in the South-East for the zonal public hearing on the ongoing constitutional review.
He acknowledged Governor Nwifuru’s active participation in the previous review exercises during his time as Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
“We assure you that no part of the country will be shortchanged in this process,” Nwebonyi stated.
