Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has thrown his weight behind key constitutional reforms, including the creation of additional states, enhanced inclusion of women and persons with disabilities in governance, and the establishment of state police.
Speaking through his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, on Saturday at the South-South Zonal Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution held at the Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, Governor Otu described the exercise as both timely and historic. He stressed the need for a constitutional framework that reflects Nigeria’s evolving political, social, and economic realities.
“This exercise resonates deeply with the hopes and aspirations of our people. What we desire is a more inclusive, just, and effective framework of governance,” he stated.
Governor Otu emphasized that sovereignty lies with the people and described the review as a reaffirmation of the social contract between government and citizens. “The constitution must evolve with time. Any document that governs over 200 million people must reflect contemporary needs and expectations,” he said.
He urged lawmakers to place the voices and interests of the people at the heart of the amendment process, insisting that governance must be inclusive and people-centered.
The hearing was convened by the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, led by the Chief Whip of the House and Chairman of the Zone B Committee, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
Chinda assured participants that all contributions would be accurately relayed to the National Assembly. “We are your servants. We are not here to speak for you, but with you,” he affirmed. He added that the zonal hearings were designed to bring governance closer to the people and deepen democratic participation.
He outlined 13 thematic areas under review, including electoral and judicial reforms, devolution of powers, fiscal federalism, recognition of traditional institutions, security and policing, and the creation of new states and local governments.
Citing the late constitutional scholar Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Chinda underscored the constitution’s role in defining and limiting the powers of government. He also presented a compendium of bills under review to facilitate informed stakeholder engagement and public contributions.
The public hearing was preceded by a courtesy visit by members of the House Committee to the State Government on Friday. During the visit, the Deputy Governor, on behalf of Governor Otu, welcomed the lawmakers and assured them of the state’s full support in ensuring a successful exercise. The state also called on the committee to prioritize the aspirations of the people, noting that governance must always serve public interest.
During the hearing, stakeholders from Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States made robust presentations on critical issues such as state creation, local government autonomy, and minority inclusion.
Hon. Godwin Offiono, Deputy Chairman of the Committee and Member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, expressed appreciation to the Cross River State Government for its hospitality. “The warmth of the people and the level of organization have reaffirmed that Calabar was the right choice for this critical national assignment,” he said.
The session attracted wide participation from civil society organizations, traditional rulers, professional associations, religious bodies, and other interest groups.
The event marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic development, providing the South-South region a vital platform to shape reforms that could redefine the nation’s constitutional architecture and governance landscape.
