By Abubakar Musa Haruna
The agitation for the creation of Savannah state out of present Borno which has been on the front banner for over 40 years has received a boost at the North East Zonal Senate Committee Public Hearing for the Review of the 1999 Constitution.
The event took place at Muhammad Indimi Hall University of Maiduguri on Saturday.
Presiding over the session, Chairman Senate Committee On Constitution Review, who is also the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jubrin, represented by the Chairman North East Zone, and Chief whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC Borno North), commended the participants for the large and peaceful turn out, noting that the Zonal Public Hearing focused on the bills and issues related to amendments of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He congratulated the people of Savannah, and other agitators from other North Eastern states and other groups who also gave their positions on devolution of power, restructuring of security, local government creation and autonomy, legislative autonomy and other demands that they would be given the desired attention and consideration.
Senator Monguno said, since the nation’s return to constitutional democracy in 1999, following a prolonged period of military dictatorship, the calls for amendments and reviews to the Constitution have remained persistent and vigorous, hence the golden opportunity is now.
Earlier the Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, who on Friday declared the hearing open, commended the leadership of the national Assembly for organizing such a great opportunity for Nigerians to voice out on the need to review the existing 1999 Constitution.
He then pledged unwavering support to all participants by the state government to ensure inclusivity and good governance at the national, state, and local levels.
Presenting Memorandum on behalf of the agitators for the creation of Savannah state, the leader of the delegation who is also the Chairman Southern Borno Development Association, Ambassador Dauda Danladi, said it is the first time in the history of their quest for the creation of Savannah State, that they have the blessings of the state governor under the leadership of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, traditional institutions and the entire good people of Borno State.
Amb. Dauda Danladi on behalf of the people of Askira/Uba, Bayo, Biu, Chibok, Damboa, Gwoza, Hawul, Kwaya-Kusar and Shani Local Government Areas as well as the entire good people of Borno State, presented the demand for the creation of Savannah State out of the present Borno State.
Responding, former senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC Yobe state, Senators Mohammed Ndume (APC Borno South), Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi), Kaka Shehu Lawan (APC Borno Central) and other stakeholders all endorsed the submission for carving out Savannah state out of present Borno, and pledged to give their maximum support to actualize the long awaited dreams.
Leave a Reply