The people of Nigeria’s South-East region have called for key constitutional reforms, including the institutionalization of rotational presidency and full autonomy for local government councils. These demands were made during the South-East Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution, organized by the Senate on Friday in Enugu.

 

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the South-East strongly supports the principle of rotational presidency across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. According to him, this would ensure equity, fairness, and a greater sense of inclusion, particularly for the South-East which has yet to produce a president in the current democratic era.

 

Mbah also proposed that political power within states should rotate among senatorial districts, while legislative seats should rotate among constituencies. He said this would strengthen inclusive governance and balanced representation.

 

To further deepen inclusion, especially for women, the governor advocated constitutional provisions for gender-based political seats: one additional Senate seat and two House of Representatives seats per state reserved for women. At the state level, he proposed three extra seats in every State House of Assembly for female legislators.

 

Governor Mbah stressed the need to guarantee local government autonomy by amending the constitution to prohibit state governors from appointing caretaker committees. He insisted that LGs should operate with elected officials and be granted direct access to funds from the national consolidated revenue account.

 

“We believe grassroots development is stifled by the current structure. Local governments must be empowered to function democratically and independently,” he said.

 

Additionally, Mbah called for greater fiscal and legislative devolution to states, arguing that the current concentration of power at the federal level — a remnant of military rule — hampers development. “True federalism means states must be autonomous, well-resourced, and empowered to serve their people,” he added.

 

Meanwhile, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Moses Odunwa, echoed calls for constitutional gender reforms and advocated for the creation of an additional state in the South-East. This, he said, would bring parity with other geopolitical zones that currently have more states.

 

He also supported the call for political seats specifically reserved for women, adding that all political parties should be mandated to nominate female candidates for such positions.

 

The public hearing drew attendance from government officials, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and non-governmental organizations, all contributing to the ongoing national constitutional review process.