North-west, South-east Renew Demand for Additional States

•CAN recommends 18 years as minimum marriage age for girls

Christopher Isiguzo, Gideon Arinze in Enugu, Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano and James Sowole in Akure

The North-west and South-east geopolitical zones yesterday renewed their demands for additional states at the public hearings conducted by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Review of the Nigerian Constitution.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also asked the National Assembly to consider 18 years as the minimum age for a girl to marry.

At the Kano venue of the public hearing for the North-west geopolitical zone, the demand for the creation of new states, requests for special status, local government autonomy, residency/indigenship, federal character and constitutional role for traditional institutions dominated submissions to the committee.

The Chairman of the Movement for creation of Ghari State from the present Kano State, Alhaji Sani Gadanya, in a presentation, said the proposed Ghari State was endowed with resources to make it self-sustaining.

Also, Senator Masud Jibril Doguwa made a presentation on behalf of the Movement for the Creation of Tiga State out of Kano State.

However, a representative of Gaya Emirate, Professor Abba Gaya of Kano State University of Science and Technology, requested for constitutional roles for traditional rulers.

At the session, the Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, reiterated the dedication of the parliament to sustain national integration despite the raging disunity and acrimony being orchestrated by some interest groups.

The speaker stated that Nigeria’s multiple divergence and mutual interests of the nation remain sacrosanct to the National Assembly.

The speaker, who was represented by Leader of the House and member representing Tudun Wada/Doguwa Federal Constituency of Kano State, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, stressed the determination of the National Assembly to address contentious issues bordering on the continued survival of Nigeria, irrespective of ethnicity, regious, faith and background.

While declaring the public hearing open, Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, expressed worry that Nigeria has failed to convert its diversity to prosperity.
Ganduje said the country was endowed with unique differences from across zones and regions that should remain a major source of strength.

At Enugu, one of the venues for the public hearing, the need for fiscal federalism to enable states control their resources and the creation of an additional state took centre stage at the second day of the hearing.

Stakeholders also canvassed the inclusion of persons living with disabilities, PWDs and women in governance and decision making.

The Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Kelechi Igwe, said there was the need for fiscal federalism to allow states to exploit their resources, generate their revenues and pay taxes to the centre.

Igwe said if allowed to control their resources, states would exploit their potential for growth and would no longer need to depend on the federal government for survival.

He stressed the need to ensure that various contributions to the review of the constitution are considered for equity and fairness.

On state creation, Maj. Gen. Godwin Ugwuoke (rtd) renewed the demand for the creation of Adada State out of the present Enugu State, noting that it remains the most crucial demand from the South- east.

Ugwuoke said the South-east region had marginalised in the distribution of state resources, hence the need for the creation of an additional state for the region.

According to him, the demand for the creation of Adada State has come a long way, adding that leaders in the region met in 2006 in Imo State to support the demand for the creation of the state.

In his response, the Leader of the team for Enugu/Ebonyi/Anambra zone and the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, said there was a consensus in the zone for the creation of Adada State.

Okechukwu who also represents Aninri/Awgu/Oji-River Federal Constituency, said the demand remained one of the oldest and as such, merited attention from all stakeholders.

“If there is any state that should be created in the South-east, it has to be Adada State and we must collectively support the creation of the state,” he added.

In its presentation, CAN asked the National Assembly to consider 18 years as the minimum age for girls to marry.

The CAN President, Reverend Olasupo Ayokunle, while presenting the position of CAN to the Constitution Review Committee for the South-west zone in Akure, lamented that the girl-child are being exposed to indecent tradition and circumstances.

Ayokunle, who was represented by the Ondo State CAN Chairman, John Oladapo, said pegging the marriage age at 18 years for girls would avail them opportunity to maximally explore inclusiveness and participation growing to adulthood.

“We recommend that the constitution shall bring clarity and emphasis to recognising and affirming 18 years as the age of maturity and that for sexual consent.

“Guarantee for the rights of women and girls, females, to contest or seek appointment based on equal opportunities that secure their active participation in politics,” he said.

While addressing journalists after the hearing, the Chairman of the South-west Constitution Review Centre for Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states, Hon. Peter Akpatason, stated that all the submissions would be relayed to the House of Representatives.

Akpatason said no fewer than 35 proposals were submitted and presented before the committee for consideration.