Uzodinma
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Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State Governor, has spoken up against the protracted “imbalance and exclusion” against the South-East region.
The governor urged the National Assembly to correct the wrong, which has continued to shortchange the region by creating additional two states.
Uzodinma made the demand at the South-east Zonal Public Hearing on the 1999 Constitution Review for Imo and Abia States held in Owerri.
He pointed out that it is the only zone with five states whereas others have six or more.
“The South-East remains the only zone with just five states. Every other zone has six or more,” the Governor said.
“This imbalance has led to underrepresentation in critical national institutions, from the National Assembly to the Federal Executive Council. It has shrunk our voice and abridged our inclusivity.”
Uzodimma also threw his weight behind the creation of Anim State, adding that it has potential to be commercially viable because of oil deposit.
“This is one state that will have an oil-producing status upon creation. This makes it commercially viable, with a sufficient revenue base to sustain itself,” he said.
The governor further argued that restructuring of local government areas within the region, should come alongside creation of new states.
According to him: “Through our collective efforts, perhaps, we shall soon have more state capitals like Orlu, Aba, Nsukka, and more. I believe that this is the prayer of the entire South-east, and it shall come to pass by the grace of God,” he added.
He also spoke on the controversial issue of indigeneship, saying there is a need to redefine who qualifies as an indigene. He posited that birth or a residency of at least ten years should confer such status on every cutizen.
“We should not be seen to be speaking from two sides of our mouth. We need to legally define indigeneship by birth or long-term residence, say 10 years. Anyone born in a state or who has lived in a state for upwards of 10 years should be a legitimate indigene of that state,” Uzodinma said, citing Mallam Umaru Altine, a Fulani man, who was once the Mayor of Enugu in 1952.
Furthermore, Uzodinma called for the inclusion of rotational presidency between the North and South in the constitution.
“This is not about tokenism but national stability. If Nigerians know that the presidency will rotate among the six zones, it will remove the fear of domination and deepen the sense of inclusion in the country,” the governor said.
