Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Sen. Peter Nwebonyi, has rejected the call by a group of eminent Nigerians under the aegis of the Patriots to discard the 1999 constitution because it’s a product of military dictatorship.
Sen. Nwebonyi argued that some aspects of the constitution still stand the test of time, noting that Nigerians are free to air their opinions on all sections of the constitution that require amendments.
The senator who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District stated this on Thursday night, during a live interview programme on Arise TV Prime Time against the backdrop of the ongoing constitutional amendment being undertaken by the National Assembly.
Sen. Nwebonyi explained that the constitution amendment committee had received many germane requests from the South-East zone for the establishment of state police, state creation, and the devolution of power, among others.
Read also:
- Gov. Yahaya backs constitution review, urges reforms for equity, development
- Amended constitution will be ready by December, says Barau
- NBA describes compulsory voting bill as unconstitutional, draconian
However, he maintained that only the South East zone has a genuine request for an additional state and therefore called on the other geopolitical zones to support the clarion call for the creation of one more state in the South-East for equity, justice, and fairness.
Sen. Nwebonyi equally lent his support for state police, resource control, and the devolution of power.
He noted that solid minerals, for instance, should be handed over to states with the mineral resources to manage and pay taxes and royalties to the federal government to boost the nation’s economy.
