By Joe Udo
YENAGOA (CONVERSEER) – Stakeholders from across the South South geopolitical zone have called for urgent constitutional reforms to ensure true federalism, fiscal autonomy, and the creation of new states, during the public hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The event, held on Friday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, was hosted at the South-South Centre A of the constitutional review zonal hearings. It drew active participation from governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and other critical stakeholders in the region.
Speaking at the hearing, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State described the ongoing constitution review process as timely and essential. He stressed the need for amendments that reflect the aspirations, values, and socio-economic realities of Nigerians, particularly those in the South-South.
Stakeholders unanimously advocated for the adoption of true federalism and a restructured revenue-sharing formula that would give more financial control to the states. They also supported the establishment of state police, citing increasing security concerns and the need for decentralised policing systems.
“There can be no meaningful constitutional reform without addressing fiscal federalism and the control of resources by the people in whose lands they are found,” one speaker said.
Other major proposals included the creation of additional states within the South South zone, the recognition of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) as full-fledged local government areas, and the allocation of reserved seats for women in political offices to enhance gender inclusion.
Participants noted that the current constitution has not fully addressed the diverse needs of the Nigerian federation, especially in terms of resource control, equity, and security.
The public hearing forms part of the wider engagement strategy by the House of Representatives to gather input from Nigerians on critical areas of constitutional reform, as the National Assembly moves to amend the 1999 Constitution to better reflect the nation’s evolving democratic and developmental needs.
