By 
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has called for two more states in the Southeast in order for the zone to be at par with its counterparts across the Federation.
Uzodimma made the demand in Owerri during his speech at the ongoing public hearing on the review of the 1999 constitution.
According to him, the call for constitutional reforms was very necessary as it would help in addressing grievances and the series of agitations from all parts of the Federation.
He maintained that the constitutional review will avail the opportunity to guarantee inclusiveness, justice, and equity in the country mostly for the people of the southeast, the zone he said had been marginalized in the area of State creation.
Uzodimma further proposed a legal definition of indigenous status based on birth or long-term residence to promote a sense of belonging irrespective of origin.
The Governor also called for the constitutional entrenchment of rotational presidency not only between the North and South but among the six geopolitical zones, which he said was to promote national stability.
Speaking on the issue of state policing, the Governor supported the decentralisation of police powers for greater responsiveness and effectiveness.
He tasked the National Assembly to consider those proposals as part of the constitutional review process, emphasizing that a constitution that reflects the values and aspirations of all Nigerians was essential for national stability and progress.
“Our diversity is our strength, not our weakness. But that strength must be harnessed through law and equity.
Uzodimma also called on the Southeast zone to take advantage of the ongoing constitutional review to seek redress for their long-standing grievance and shun threats of secession and violence, insisting on using the constitutional review process to articulate their demands peacefully.
Uzodinma said he is not among those calling for the total scrapping of the 1999 constitution but in support of its periodic review in addressing differing views across all quarters in order to continue fortifying the nation’s young democracy.
“Like most constitutions around the world, ours is a work in progress.
“Let us continue to build on it, and today’s hearing is part of that noble effort. There is no perfect Constitution anywhere in the world. This is the reason for the existence of parliaments all over the world.
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