Constitution Amendment: Niger Govt submits proposal
The Niger State Government has submitted a joint document to the House Committee on Constitution Review containing the state’s collective views and recommendations on key areas.
The areas include restructuring, devolution of powers, state policing, fiscal federalism, local government autonomy, and electoral process.
The position of the state was presented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Nasiru Mu’azu during the public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) for the North Central Zone, Centre A, covering Niger, Kwara, and Kogi States in Minna.
The Commissioner explained that the document was developed after broad consultations and stakeholder engagement across the state.
Mu’azu also noted that the state government had made a case for additional creation of local government areas in the state while expressing 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, disclosed that it has some thematic areas based on evolving needs, which are electoral, judicial, legislative, and physical reform
“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,” Okafor said.
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 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.
Similarly, 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 received documents from women groups, organized labour unions and youth groups, among others, for consideration.
Constitution Amendment: Niger Govt submits proposal
