Northern Stakeholders Push for Power Devolution in Constitution Review

Northern governors, traditional rulers, and civic groups have rallied behind calls for a people-centered amendment to Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.

Their demands came during the ongoing zonal public hearings organized by the House of Representatives, aimed at reshaping the country’s legal framework to reflect equity, justice, and regional aspirations.

The public hearings, held across Minna, Kaduna, and Gombe for the North-Central, North-West, and North-East zones, saw high turnout from state leaders, legal experts, civil society organizations, and traditional institutions. At the core of their submissions were demands for true federalism, local government autonomy, state policing, and the creation of new states and local councils.

In Minna, Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State, represented by the State Assembly Speaker, called the process a vital step toward building a stronger democratic foundation. Niger State’s Attorney General, Nasiru Muazu, outlined the state’s firm support for devolving powers to states and local governments, arguing that closer governance will ensure better service delivery and development.

In the same forum, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo emphasized the need for a final document that clearly reflects the will of the people. His representative, Justice Commissioner Muzi Yunus Abdullahi, said the process should eliminate ambiguities and produce a truly national constitution.

Beyond power devolution, proposals for state creation featured prominently. From Niger State, former deputy governor Mohammed Musa Ibeto advocated for the creation of Kainji State, to be carved from parts of Niger and Kebbi States, with Kontagora as capital. Another delegate, Yusuf Sani Yabagi, demanded the creation of Edu State, citing the need for fair representation and service access for over 2 million people.

Kwara State’s Adebayo Daramola also called for Ifesowapo State, based on the area’s economic strength and population size. He argued that statehood would fast-track development and enhance political inclusion.

At the Gombe hearing, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya described the constitutional review as a necessary turning point for building a governance structure that reflects Nigeria’s diversity. Addressing participants from Gombe, Bauchi, and Taraba states, he urged the House to deliver a living constitution—one that addresses structural imbalances and allows states greater control over their resources and local affairs.

Governor Yahaya said the focus must be on three pillars: political stability, economic growth, and social justice. He also called for stronger guarantees for gender equality and protections for vulnerable communities.

In Kaduna, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi urged lawmakers to produce a constitution that offers future generations hope, justice, and unity. Represented by Jigawa State Assembly Speaker Haruna Dutse, he described the hearings as a democratic milestone that offers Nigeria the chance to correct longstanding governance flaws.

Traditional rulers also took part in the push for reforms. Etsu Nupe, chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, asked for clearly defined constitutional roles for traditional institutions, stating that their absence from governance has weakened the link between government and communities.

Meanwhile, female political leaders and civil society groups rallied in support of a proposed Special Seats Bill aimed at boosting women’s participation in politics. Led by Women in Politics Forum (WiPF) president Efiere Ifendu, women from across the country submitted memoranda calling for 182 reserved legislative seats and the extension of the temporary special measure to cover six election cycles.

WiPF noted that women currently occupy only 3% of Senate seats, 4% in the House of Representatives, and just 48 out of 993 seats in state assemblies. The group said that without deliberate measures like reserved seats, these figures will remain stagnant for decades.

Backing the bill, Hon. Rakiya Shonekon submitted five separate memoranda from various civil society groups across the country. She said the proposal marks a turning point in Nigeria’s journey toward inclusive governance and should be passed and signed into law without delay.

The House of Representatives committee, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, pledged to run a transparent and responsive process. The committee revealed that it has already received 46 requests for new states and 117 for local governments, showing strong national interest in decentralization and power redistribution.

As the hearings continue, the pressure is growing on lawmakers to deliver a constitution that meets Nigeria’s present realities—one built on fairness, inclusion, and shared governance.