Niger State Government has presented a joint document containing the collective views, aspirations, and recommendations of the Government and people of the state to the House Committee on the review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
The Niger State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Nasiru Mu’azu, made the presentation during the public hearing on the review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) for the North Central Zone, Centre A, which consists of Niger, Kwara, and Kogi States, held in Minna.
He explained that the memorandum covers recommendations on key areas that include restructuring, devolution of powers, state policing, fiscal federalism, local government autonomy, and the electoral process.
The State Attorney General said the recommendations were articulated after broad consultations and stakeholder engagement across the state
The Commissioner for Justice also said the state government had made a case for additional creation of local government areas in the state and expressed optimism that the document will be given due consideration
The House Committee Consultant, Prof. Kathleen Okafor, who presented the summarised compendium of bills before the House, said it has some thematic areas based on evolving needs, which are electoral, judicial, legislative, and physical reform
She said others are inclusive governance, security and policing, devolution of powers, strengthening of institutions, the role of rural communities, traditional institutions, citizenship and Indigineship, fundamental rights, and many more.
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger State Council of traditional rulers, Alh Yahaya Abubakar, on behalf of the National Council of traditional rulers also submitted a memo to the House Committee on the Constitution amendment centred on creating roles for traditional rulers on matters involving religion, culture, security, and justice, among others.
Presentations for the creation of Edu State comprising Bida, Lapai and Agaie Emirates, and the Kainji State consist of Borgu and Kontagora Emirates of the present Niger State and Zuru Emirate in Kebbi State were made by Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani and Amb. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, respectively.
Representatives from Kogi, and Kwara States also submitted their memos for the creation of Okun, Okura, and Efesowofo States out of the present Kogi and Kwara States, respectively.
The House Committee Document received documents from women groups, organized labour unions, youth groups, among others, for consideration.
