The Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Upper Chambres’ Constitutional Review Committee, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday revealed the method with which new states can be created in Nigeria. Ikweremadu had told newsmen that the process would be based o consensus.
Ekweremadu had also faulted the Northern Governors on their position towards the creation of states police.
Ekweremadu had observed that the position of the Northern governor contradicts the overall interest of the governor’s forum that recommended for state creation through its leader, Governor, Rotimi Amechi
Expressing his surprise over the new position of the Northern governors, Ekweremadu affirmed that most of the northern governors had prior to the new development submitted their proposal on the need for state creation. He however lamented over their new position on the matter.
The Northern governors who surprisingly concluded in their last meeting in Abuja have affirmed that the state police was not to be encouraged now, stating that the country was not ripe for such.
In a communique, signed on behalf of the governors by Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, the Governors had agreed that instead of state police, the constitution should be amended just to allow the governors to control the commissional of police in their various states.
“The Forum is not in support of creation of state police. It however resolved to prevail on the Federal Government to embark on police reform that will assist the states in control and management of police affairs, and sound philosophy of modern policing by amending the provision of Section 215,” the northern governors declared in a communiqué read by Aliyu after the meeting.
But in a swift reaction to the governors’ position, Ekweremadu affirmed: “What the northern governors said contradicts the presentation by Governor Chibuike Amechi of Rivers State at Asaba. He made a very strong case for state police, and it also contradicts Prof. Isawa Elaigwu, a northerner, who also presented a keynote address and suggested five years single term.
“He is a northerner; so, to me, it is the beauty of democracy. They will have their say but majority will have their way. We will throw it open to all Nigerians to dialogue and discussions will continue. I am sure that by the time all the merits of the issue of state police are put forward and when all fears are addressed, maybe they can change their mind on it.
“The same thing with the issue of single term; the argument is still being developed. So, I am sure, the power of persuasion will also help us in determining the way forward. But we are democrats; as members of National Assembly we will only be guided by the opinion of Nigerians on any issue. So, as we said from the beginning, we don’t have any mindset on the issue.
What preponderance of views direct to is what we will do. So if Nigerians say they don’t want any amendment in any area then that is the end of it, we will close shop. If they want in one area, we will deal with that; we are servants of the people and we will appreciate all the opinions but as I said the argument goes on.”
Speaking on the move to create more states, the Deputy Senate President said that everything would depend on consensus. According to him: “If Nigerians agree that there is need for more states and that there are injustices that needed to be addressed in area of state creation, and they believe that the imbalances need to be adjusted in all parts of the country where there is dominance against the other, we must address it. So if Nigerians agree in that regard, I am sure we can build consensus around it and go ahead to create the state. I think it is something we are going to give a trial because there are valid requests there that need to be addressed,”
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