Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate and representative of Ebonyi North Senatorial District, has rejected calls by the Patriots group to discard Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, arguing instead for targeted amendments to address specific shortcomings.
Speaking during an Arise TV Prime Time interview, the lawmaker acknowledged the constitution’s military origins but maintained that many provisions remain relevant and functional.
As chairman of the South East Zonal Public Hearing on Constitutional Amendment held in early July 2025, Nwebonyi revealed that his committee received numerous substantive proposals from the region.
Key demands included state police establishment, creation of additional states, devolution of powers, and resource control. The senator particularly emphasised the South East’s legitimate case for state creation to achieve parity with other geopolitical zones currently having six or seven states each.
Nwebonyi called for national solidarity in addressing this structural imbalance, framing it as a matter of equity and justice. He expressed personal support for several reform proposals, including state-controlled mineral resource management, where states would oversee solid minerals in their territories while remitting taxes and royalties to the federal government.
The senator also backed constitutional provisions for state police and power devolution, noting these measures would enhance governance efficiency. He announced plans for a joint National Assembly public hearing to consolidate nationwide input on proposed amendments, expressing confidence that the revised constitution would receive presidential assent.
While recognising citizens’ right to critique the constitution, Nwebonyi cautioned against wholesale rejection, advocating instead for systematic improvements to the existing framework. His position reflects a pragmatic approach to constitutional reform, balancing the need for change with respect for established legal structures.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
