Constitution Review: North-Central Public Hearing Amplifies Renewed Calls for State Police

The North-Central Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, organized by the House of Representatives in Lafia, Nasarawa State, climaxed with a resounding call for the establishment of State Police, as a means to address the growing insecurity across the region.

Other critical demands included the creation of additional states and local government areas within the North-Central zone.

The North-Central Constitution Review aimed at gathering citizens’ inputs into the ongoing review of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution brought together key players from across the North-Central states and the Federal Capital Territory to present their positions on key constitutional matters.

Chairman of North-Central Constitution Review Committee, Ahmed Idris Wase, emphasized the importance of inclusive participation, urging citizens to contribute towards building a constitution that reflects the collective aspirations of all Nigerians.

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Representatives of the governors of Nasarawa, Plateau, and Benue states, speaking through their respective Attorneys General, strongly advocated the establishment of State Police, noting that localized security structures are essential to effectively safeguard lives and property within the region.

Also making a strong case at the hearing was Ben Obega, who, leading a delegation from the Igede ethnic group in Benue State, called for the creation of new states, citing years of marginalization and underrepresentation of minority ethnic groups within the state.

The proposal for the allocation of special seats for women received widespread support, including from male participants who urged the committee to prioritize equity and justice in the constitutional amendments.

Also, people living with disabilities proposed the creation of specially reserved seats at federal, state, and local government levels to guarantee their representation.

Representatives from the Federal Capital Territory demanded the establishment of a governorship position and a dedicated seat in the House of Representatives, decrying their continued political marginalization just as the traditional rulers expressed concerns over their exclusion from constitutional roles and national decision-making processes.

(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)