Iliayasu Abdullahi Bah
In a renewed bid to amend Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, agitators for state creation and advocates for gender inclusion converged on Maiduguri on Friday for the North-East Zonal Public Hearing. The forum, hosted at the Mohammed Indimi International Conference Centre, University of Maiduguri, witnessed a surge of passionate submissions from various interest groups, including traditional leaders, civil society organizations, women and youth groups.
Leading the chorus of state creation demands were campaigners for the proposed Amana (from Adamawa), Savanna (from Borno), Katagum (from Bauchi), Muri (from Taraba), and Tangale-Waja (from Gombe) states. These agitators, backed by traditional rulers and political elites, made compelling cases for the bifurcation of existing states to correct what they described as longstanding structural injustices.
Of particular note was the delegation advocating for the creation of Savanna State—comprising the nine local government areas of Southern Borno Senatorial District: Biu, Hawul, Askira-Uba, Chibok, Damboa, Shani, Kwaya Kusar, Gwoza, and Bayo. Their memorandum is expected to be formally submitted on Saturday, July 5.
His Royal Highness, Alhaji Sali Bello, Dan Amanar Mubi, spearheading the call for Amana State, described their demand as “a correction of historical injustice.” He cited the 1961 United Nations plebiscite that led to the integration of the region into Nigeria, with assurances by the then leadership that Mubi would enjoy parity with regional capitals like Kano and Ilorin. “This is not a demand,” he asserted, “but a moral duty to restore what was promised.”
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Ahmed Yayale, in his presentation for Katagum State, also urged the National Assembly to address systemic marginalisation. He lamented the politicisation of traditional institutions and called for a restructuring that guarantees stability and inclusivity.
Women’s groups made equally compelling interventions. The Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), led by Secretary General Saudatu Mahdi (represented by Borno State Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yabawa Kolo), advocated for increased female participation in Nigeria’s legislative architecture.
Their memorandum proposed the creation of 74 additional seats for women in the National Assembly and 108 special seats in State Houses of Assembly, to address the alarming gender imbalance—currently under 7% in the National Assembly and 4.4% in state legislatures.
According to Kolo, the group recommends establishing special constituencies for women contesting these seats, with a 16-year transitional period and rotational structures to ensure regional equity. “This is not about tokenism,” she emphasized, “but about systemic empowerment and constitutional backing for gender inclusion.”
Declaring the two-day public hearing open, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Umar Kadafur, praised the leadership of the National Assembly for providing a platform for citizens to shape the Constitution. He reaffirmed the Borno State Government’s commitment to supporting inclusive governance and constitutional reforms.
Also lending his voice, Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, representing the Speakers of North-East State Assemblies, called for full autonomy for state legislatures to enable them function independently and efficiently.
The Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi, and former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, also delivered goodwill messages, expressing solidarity with the people’s aspirations and pledging to support legislative outcomes from the forum.
In his welcome remarks, Chairman of the Senate Constitution Review Committee, Senator Barau Jibrin, represented by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC–Borno North), acknowledged the robust turnout and peaceful conduct of participants. He emphasized that the hearings, simultaneously held in six geopolitical zones—Enugu, Kano, Jos, Lagos, Uyo, and Maiduguri—demonstrate the seriousness of the constitutional amendment process.
Monguno highlighted that while five constitutional amendments have been enacted since 1999, many critical national issues remain unresolved. “Some challenges stem not from the Constitution itself, but from our failure to uphold both its letter and spirit,” he noted. He stressed that the 10th National Assembly was committed to addressing national demands through proactive legislative interventions.
He added: “The goal is to build a national consensus—not just amplify the voices of the powerful few. This public hearing is an expression of our democratic maturity.”
Other memoranda presented addressed issues such as local government autonomy, electoral reforms, and regional security enhancements. Many participants called for a constitutional review of the country’s security structure to better address the persistent insecurity in the North-East.
Notable attendees included Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), Kaka Shehu Lawan (Borno Central), and Abdul Ningi (Bauchi), alongside other regional stakeholders and civil society leaders.
The Maiduguri hearing, rich in diverse perspectives and passionate appeals, reflects Nigeria’s vibrant quest for a more inclusive, equitable, and functional federal system. Whether through state creation, legislative reform, or gender parity, the public has spoken—loudly and clearly. It now falls to the National Assembly to translate these voices into constitutional realities.