Uzodimma Backs Creation Of New States, Rotational Presidency, State Police At Constitution Review Hearing In Owerri
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has called for bold constitutional reforms to deepen equity, unity, and national inclusion as the National Assembly public hearing on constitutional amendment held in Owerri on Saturday.
Speaking before a delegation of federal lawmakers and stakeholders from Imo and Abia States, Governor Uzodimma said the constitutional review offers Nigerians “a valuable opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the process of building a constitution that equitably serves the interests of all.”
Welcoming participants with warmth and optimism, the Governor emphasised the need for justice, particularly for the South East, which remains the only geopolitical zone with five states.
He strongly advocated the creation of at least two new states in the region with a specific pitch for Anim State, which he noted would be oil-producing and economically viable.
“Our people are underrepresented in national institutions.
The creation of more states and local government areas in the South East is long overdue. It is a question of fairness,” he said.
Governor Uzodimma also urged lawmakers to address the long-standing issue of indigeneship, noting that many Nigerians born or raised outside their ancestral roots are still treated as outsiders.
He proposed a legal framework to recognise any citizen who has lived in a state for 10 years or was born there as an indigene.
Citing historical examples like Mallam Umaru Altine, a northerner who became Mayor of Enugu in 1952, Uzodimma said: “That tells us something profound about our potential for unity if only the Constitution can catch up with our history.”
On power rotation, the Governor called for the entrenchment of rotational presidency across the six geopolitical zones to reduce ethnic tension and foster a true sense of belonging.
“It is not about tokenism; it’s about national stability. Nigerians should know that the presidency will come to their zone one day. That assurance matters,” he noted.
He also lent his voice to the call for state police, describing the current centralised system as outdated and overstretched.
As Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Uzodimma declared that state police is no longer a matter of debate but of urgency.
“The fear that governors will misuse state police is unfounded and frankly outdated. We cannot let the past paralyse the future,” he added.
The Governor praised the National Assembly for its responsiveness to citizens’ yearnings through regular constitutional reviews, describing the exercise as democracy in action.
In his closing remarks, he urged lawmakers to rise to the moment with “vision, courage, and justice.”
“May your deliberations be guided by the hope of millions who seek a Constitution that truly belongs to them,” he said.
Follow the Savinews Africa channel on WhatsApp: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VawgaEL5vKA9Y5XTFg0n]
