The representative of South East Coalition of Civil Service Activists based in Abuja in the recently concluded public hearing for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution, South-East zone, Barr. Okere Kingdom Nnamdi has expressed reservations with the exercise, saying the germane issues that will foster a sense of belonging among regional and ethnic nationalities will not be reflected in the proposed amendment.
Speaking with ABN TV shortly after his presentation in Owerri the Imo State capital, Barr. Nnamdi noted that the current administration at the Federal level does not have the willpower to amend the constitution in such a way that it will address the pressing issues of equity and justice.
He cited the body language of Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami whom he accused of promoting Northern agenda by propagating the gospel of open grazing which allows cows to roam and destroy people’s farmlands in the name of freedom of movement as well as scandalous hate and lopsided appointments which Buhari has promoted since he came into office in 2015.
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According to Barr. Nnamdi, the dominance of some regions and zones over the others in the country’s power-play creates a sense of alienation and distrust both at the Federal and state levels.
Citing Imo State where the governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, and his predecessor, Senator Rochas Okorocha are both from Orlu zone, he said such practice does not create a sense of belonging among other districts.
He, therefore, insisted that the proposed amendment must mandate political parties to strike a balance in terms of power rotation at various levels of government.
According to the activist, his concern about the process is whether the National Assembly as currently constituted under the headship of Sen. Ahmad Lawan will dislodge the Northern hegemony by effecting amendments that reflect the concern of generality of Nigerians.
He said the overwhelming majority of the Northern representatives at the National Assembly over their Southern counterparts will make the entire exercise an effort in futility, saying the Northerners vote against amendments that will give the South a sense of inclusion.
The lawyer said the recycling of old and unproductive politicians have also undermined the development of the country, stating that Buhari according to historical records performed better as a military head of state than a Democratic leader, making case for the inclusion of age limitation for political officeholders.
“But regrettably, the ongoing Constitution Review will not see the light of the day in terms of people-oriented amendments, in terms of what the people want, in terms of equity, justice, and fairness, in terms of restructuring, in terms of resource control, in terms of giving every section of this country sense of belonging.
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“It will not see the light of the day because, by the time they put it to voice vote, it is what the Northern Senators want that they will pass because they will tell you they constitute the majority, because their military Head of State woke up and created the number of States they wanted, the number of constituencies they liked. That is the predicament we have” he said.
He, therefore, suggested that the outcome of the 2014 confab initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan be implemented to address issues of peaceful coexistence.
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