Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah
By BARBARA KALU, Abuja-
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has advocated for the creation of an additional state in the South-East region to bring it on par with other geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
Mbah also emphasized the need for a rotational presidency and the establishment of state police to promote inclusivity, security, and national cohesion.
“We have advocated fervently that there is need for states to create state police services, just as you have the federal police, but with defined jurisdictions and operational parameters”, Mbah said.
He spoke on Thursday in Enugu, when he received members of the Senate Committee on Constitution Amendment, who were on a courtesy visit to him at the Government House.
“We think that this is overdue and there is no better time for that than now, given the fragilities we have in our various communities.” He said.
He added that state police would be a “truly welcome development” in the constitution.
Mbah also highlighted the need to correct the historical injustice of the South-East having only five states, unlike other zones with six or more.
“We also believe that since the South East is the only zone with five states in the country, this should be corrected during this process of amendment,” he said.
The governor stressed the importance of a rotational presidency, saying it would give all regions, including the South-East, a fair chance at occupying the highest office.
“We think that will give the South East and every other region a chance at the presidency,” he said.
The Senate Committee on Constitution Amendment visited Enugu State ahead of a public hearing on constitution amendment scheduled for Friday.
The committee’s leader, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, noted that the 1999 Constitution has received widespread criticism for being the product of military dictatorship and not representing the interests of all Nigerians.
“People of South East are crying foul that we are being marginalised in so many areas, particularly as it relates to the number of states, juxtaposing same with other geopolitical zones of Nigeria,” Nwebonyi said.
