By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
House of Representatives’ North East Zone Center II Public Hearing on Constitutional Amendment of the 1999 constitution commenced on Saturday in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The public hearing, held at the Muhammadu Indimi International Conference Center, University of Maiduguri, drew various stakeholders, including traditional leaders, civil society organizations, professional bodies, and community groups.
In his opening remarks, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by Deputy Governor Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur, emphasized the importance of the public hearing in strengthening democracy.
He urged the committee to be considerate of the people’s demands, yearnings, and aspirations, and to adopt a dynamic approach to addressing the nation’s challenges.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee, Rt. Hon. Isa Ali, assured participants that all memoranda submitted would be judiciously considered.
He encouraged all stakeholders to make meaningful contributions, promising that the committee would give equal opportunity to all groups and organizations to present their demands freely. Traditional leaders played a significant role in the public hearing.
The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, advocated for the inclusion of traditional rulers’ powers in the constitution, highlighting their crucial role in enhancing peace and development.
The Emir of Fika, HRH Alh. Muhammadu Abbati Ibn Idrissa, pledged to support women’s groups and child labor reforms, while the Lamido of Adamawa, Alh. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustafa, called for electoral reforms to guarantee fair, just, and credible elections.
Other notable presentations were made by the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, represented by Deputy Speaker Hon. Engr. Abdullahi Musa, and various organizations, including political parties, civil society organizations, professional bodies like the Nigerian Bar Association, Nigerian Medical Association, and Nigerian Society of Engineers, among others.
Key demands from the participants included the creation of new states and local government areas, electoral reforms, security and traditional rulers’ roles, gender equality and women’s affirmation, girl child and child labor reforms, good governance, checks and balances, transparency, and accountability in governance.
The public hearing is part of the House of Representatives’ efforts to engage with Nigerians and gather input on constitutional amendments.
According to Rt. Hon. Isa Ali, 43 organizations and groups have collected memoranda, with the committee pledging to consider all demands based on the criteria and requirements provided.
The event drew representatives from various organizations, including the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Nigeria Labour Congress, National Union of Local Government Employees, National Council of Women Societies, Borno Elders Forum, and Savanna State Movement, among others.
