•  Calls for state creation top lists

From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

The Northeast team of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review has promised to uphold the inputs of the citizens in the constitution amendment and not impose its views in the outcome of the exercise.

Leader of the team and Senate Chief Whip, Sen Mohammad Tahir Monguno made the pledge on Friday in Maiduguri in an address at the opening of the Senate Committee public hearing on Constitution review for the Northeast zone.

Monguno (Borno North) who also represented the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Deputy Senate president Barau Jubrin, assured that citizens’  voices will count in the outcome of the review.

“The contributions of the citizens will form the review. We will not impose our opinion or view
We will prioritise the interest of our citizens and the will of our people,” he promised.

He called on the people to make submissions on electoral and judicial reforms, local government administration, political inclusiveness and  gender equality among others.

He said most Nigerians believe there is need to review the 1999 constitution despite previous amendment contained in the five schedules or addendum.

The Shehu of Borno, Alhani
Shehu of Borno
Alhaji Abubakar Garbai El-Kanemi urged people to make greater inputs in the review to sustain the unity and peace of the xountry.

He also appealed for return of the role of traditional institution in Nigeria.

Former Senate President, Sen Ahmed Lawan who currently represents Yobe North in the Senate, said the public hearing is an opportunity for the northeast to show interest in the issues which affect the country apart from the zone.

Requests for the creation of additional states in the northeast top the lists of submissions at the Friday public hearing in Maiduguri. One of such request is creation of Amana State out of the present Adamawa State.

Spokesman of the Amana State Movement, Ahmad Sajoh told journalists at the event that the call by the people was aimed at “correcting historical injustice of the creation of states in Nigeria in the past.”

Pic: Participants at the Northeast Public Hearing on constitution review in Maiduguri, Borno’s capital on Friday