“Constitutional review will enhance unity in Nigeria” – Gombe State Governor

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says the Proposed Alteration of the Provisions of the 1999 Constitution meeting would come up with positions that will enhance national unity, regional integration and economic development.

Governor Yahaya who stated this during the opening of the Gombe Centre of the Constitutional Review hearing explained that his administration had seen strong cooperation at the regional level, which had culminated into the North East Governors Forum.

Consequently, he said the meeting would give an opportunity for Nigerians to present their views on how they want their country to be governed.

Governor Yahaya is confident that the calibre of representations from the three participating states of Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba would provide innovative ideas on how to strengthen the constitutional system and enhance the social and economic conditions of the people.

He called for prayers for security and peaceful coexistence among the North-East States and the country as a whole, while commending the sacrifices of the armed forces for national unity, peace and stability.

The Gombe State Governor pledged the commitment of the state and the North-East Zone to ensure Nigeria’s unity and a democratic constitutional process that would build on the foundation of justice, equity and fairness.

He equally called on all organisations participating in the public hearing to engage in robust, constructive and healthy conversation on the way forward for the country across all areas of interest or concern.

“I’m therefore calling on all disgruntled elements to desist from utterances and actions that were capable of undermining the constitutional order, but that they should opt for dialogue and legitimate aspirations through their elected representatives at both national and state levels,” Governor Yahaya said.

He said Gombe State had mobilized people and held extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders in order to come up with a unified position that represents our collective aspirations as a State, believing that at the end of the meeting, all positions and recommendations from the three participating states would be aggregated and properly documented for further consultation.

Overall, Governor Yahaya said the constitution amendment was a people-driven process, which had become important for Nigerians to make their inputs on how the constitution should be framed, how it is run and how it is maintained.

Constitutional Review, Gender Issues, State Police Top Agender

Meanwhile, the Gombe Centre of the two-day North-East Zonal Public Hearing on the “Proposed Alteration of the Provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” has gender issues, creation of state police and the role of traditional institution topping submissions by various groups from Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba.

The various groups called for more evolvement of women in governance, especially political office at all levels, with particular emphasis on the 35% Affirmation Action and specific seats be reserved for women.

On the creation of state police, while some Taraba State advocated for its creation, the Gombe State Government kicked against because of inadequate resources to finance the unit and for fear of abuse.

The Gombe State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Zubairu Muhammad Umar, making submissions on behalf of Gombe State called for the review of the revenue formula to be based on land mass and population of an area.

“Which we believe are the most important resources should be given priority when it comes to revenue allocation and formulation. And we are asking that the review of the revenue formula should be 60% in favour of the state,” said the Gombe State Attorney General.

There were various calls for the traditional institution to be assigned constitutional roles in the society so that the needed security and peace will be attained.

One of those who made such submissions included the Wife of Lamido Adamawa, Hajiya Aishatu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, who represented the Association of female Traditional Title Holders.

Although she touched on gender equality for women and girls, Federal Structure and Power Devolution, shet hammered more on the enhanced powers of the traditional institution, which was needed for the rulers to complement the efforts of government in the maintenance of peace, security and peaceful co-existence within their domain.

“Our revered traditional institution must be accorded very specific constitutional roles as they constitute a very important segment of the society. They play a significant role in the maintenance of peace and security which is the fundamental state duty and provided in the constitution. Any provision that limits their role to simply advisory must be made away with,” the Wife of Lamido Adamawa said.

Recommendations were made for local government creation in Taraba and Gombe State on the first day of the session, such as Tula, Cham, Kuteb and Pero Chonge among others.

Representatives of such groups made cases for themselves as having the necessary criteria, such as the population, landmass and landmarks for tourism, which will bring development closer to the people.

A submission was made for the trimming of political parties to a minimum of three and maximum of seven.

A representative of the Civil Society of Nigeria, Mrs. Manuga Poloma, called for the redrafting of the constitution to make it user and gender-friendly, citing that the language should be changed because the word woman was mentioned only twice in the 1999 Constitution

Poloma wants the issue of citizenship to be amended to confer citizenship of the man spouse by registration, because according to her, the constitution is silent about the status of a man married to a Nigerian.

She equally called for the abrogation of some laws, especially those that impinged on the rights of women and girls, such as early marriage among others.

More submissions also came on Thursday, May 27, 2021, from various groups and organisations on the Proposed Alteration of the Provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Constitutional Amendments: North East Committee to consider groups agitating for state creation

There was a call on the return to regionalisation of Nigeria on the issue of devolution of power, which according to them led Nigeria to its best time in history when the country was divided into regions, with their resources from the regions now feeding the centre, believing that the regions would sustain their economies.

PIAK