Diri Demands Resource Control At Constitutional Review

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has called for the South-South geopolitical zone to be united and present a common position in the ongoing constitutional amendment.
Diri made the call at the South-South Centre A, public hearing presentation of House of Representatives Committee Review of the 1999 Constitution in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.
The governor advocated an upward review of the 13 percent derivation, while stressing the need for true federalism where resource allocation would be based on resource generation.
He said states should be allowed to control resources at their domains and pay taxes to the Federal government. “The people of South-South advocate for a system that acknowledges the worth and dignity of every citizen irrespective of the geographical location.”
Diri also condemned the disparity in the number of local government areas in the South-South and other parts of the country; proposing that states should be given the right to create local government areas they can manage and fund.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori , who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, said the state’s demands include upward review of the derivation formula, removal of maritime matters from the exclusive list to concurrent list, local government autonomy, state police, devolution of power, environmental justice and judiciary reform.
“We proposed constitutional provisions guaranteeing the right to a clean and healthy environment, a binding obligation on all oil companies to undertake environmental remediation and the legal mechanism to hold polluters liable.”
Edo State Governor represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Samson Osagie said Edo State said the constitutional amendment exercise should not polarize the South-South, rather it should unify it.
The Leader of House of Representatives and Chairman South-South Centre A, comprising Bayelsa, Delta and Edo states, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, assured that every document submitted would be carefully considered and presented to the full committee before it would be presented to the full floor of the House for consideration.
Ihonvbere allayed the concerns that there would be no-go areas in the constitutional review processes, noting that it would touch areas such as electoral reforms, reserved seats, the role of traditional rulers and youths.
In an interview at the sidelines of the event, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom in Ethiope local government area of Delta state, HRM Monday Whisky said he wants a constitution that works for the ordinary Nigerian, a constitution that does not discriminate, that will also protect the rights of women and traditional rulers.
The Secretary Otuabagi Women Development Initiative in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa state Mrs. Esther Orubo lamented that constitutional review is long overdue and wants gender balance in all political appointments and elective positions, stressing that all positions should be 50 percent for male and 50 percent for female.
A Non-Governmental Organization; Women Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) and partner Civil Society Organization also presented a memorandum.
Their key demands are reserved seats for women in the National Assembly and Stated House of Assemblies and reforms of INEC leadership selection process to strengthen electoral integrity and public confidence.
The paper noted, “Both reforms are historic, strategic, and people-centred measures capable of delivering a truly representative and credible electoral system for Nigeria. The time for decisive, gender-responsive, transparent reform is now.”