Constitutional Amendment: RSG Calls For Security Of Purpose

The Rivers State Government says efforts to remake and give Nigeria a better constitution can only be possible if the exercise is approached and carried out with  a sincerity of purpose and commitment  to correct the fundamental challenges that has caused deep crack s to the foundation of our country.

Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike stated this during the Opening Ceremony of the Zonal Public Hearing organized by the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, South- South, comprising Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt on Thursday 27th May 2021.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Mrs Ipalibo Harry Banigo Governor Wike said “it is only the blind that may not see that Nigeria is headed for a dangerous precipice, unless something urgent and drastic is done to correct the identified flaws in both our constitution and the nature of  the federal system  that has been foisted on this country for so long”.

According to the Governor, “the contending issues are not new they have been raised, identified and debated at several forum and platforms over and over by almost every social group, association, and ethnicity in this country”.

 Governor Wike who said the Country is not processing a new constitution, a people’s constitution, which to some is the only path to having a united, peaceful, cohesive and progressive Nation”.

 The Governor noted that others believe that the basis for a new constitution does not exist, since we already have a constitution that we have practiced for over 20yrs, which short comings can be corrected through amendments.

“The truth is that whether new or old what Nigerians need is a constitution that approximates the collective aspirations of all Nigerians to leave in a country that is Free, Fair and just to all components parts. Nigerians need a constitution that will give them a true sense of belonging, secure and advance their wellbeing and enable their children to aspire to actualize their potentials for any office without discrimination”. Governor Wike stressed.

The State Chief Executive further said “no one is deceived that the present constitution alienates minority society, justify the provocative expropriation of the peoples resources and gives greater resources to a gluttonous Federal Government to the detriment of the State and Local Government Areas, there is no way ordinary Nigerians will strive and prosper  under a constitution that overburden a nebulous Federal Government with too many social economic task and responsibilities beyond its capacity competence to deliver.”

The Governor, who said Nigeria would be better secured, prosperous and greater together as a united Country, noted that Rivers State believes in the indivisibility of this country and would not support any move buy any person or group to Balkanize the Country.

The State Chief Executive noted that “there can be no peace without equity and justice, no security without inclusion and economic progress, and no stability without democratic freedom”.

He said the country needs a constitution that addresses the issues bordering on devolution of power from the centre to the State, fiscal federalism, creation of state police, strengthening of the electoral system, increasing the derivation fund to not less than 25%, allowing state to create and sustain local government councils as well as the reduction of the cost of governance at the federal and state levels..

In his remarks the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo- Agege who spoke through Senator George Thompson Sekibo said the Zonal Public hearing came ahead of the national hearing as a result of the bottom top approach adopted by the Senate to enable the Senate hear from Nigerians at the Geopolitical level.

He said the success of the committee would depend on the support and partnership of stake holders at the Zones, adding that the focus of the committee would be on how to manage