Constitution Amendment: South-East Demands Rotational Presidency, Legislative Seats for Women
The ongoing nationwide constitutional amendment process gained significant momentum on Friday, July 4, as representatives and stakeholders from the South-East geopolitical zone gathered at the Enugu State House of Assembly Complex to present a unified set of demands. Central to their proposals were the calls for the institutionalization of rotational presidency among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, and the reservation of legislative seats for women at federal and state levels.
The South-East Zonal Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution was organized by the Senate Constitution Review Committee, chaired by Senator Barau Jibrin, with the objective of collating region-specific proposals to guide deliberations on the forthcoming constitutional overhaul.
In a clear and united voice, leaders from the five South-East states—Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo—made a strong case for the constitutional institutionalization of rotational presidency. They argued that such a move would promote inclusivity, national cohesion, and equity in the power-sharing structure of Nigeria.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, was unequivocal in his call for the rotational presidency principle to be enshrined in the nation’s constitution. “A rotational presidency among the six geopolitical zones is not just an aspiration but a necessity for ensuring justice and strengthening national unity,” he stated.
Governor Mbah emphasized that the South-East region, despite being one of the tripod foundations of Nigeria, has yet to produce a president since the return of democracy in 1999. This marginalization, he argued, feeds feelings of alienation and weakens the sense of national belonging among Igbos.
In addition to advocating for a rotational presidency, Mbah supported the idea of rotating governorship seats within states among the senatorial zones, thereby encouraging internal equity and reducing regional tension.
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One of the most progressive components of the South-East submission was the firm demand for enhanced female representation at all levels of governance. The region proposed constitutional amendments that would guarantee additional elective seats exclusively for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
Specifically, the South-East delegates called for one extra senatorial seat per state and two additional House of Representatives seats per state to be reserved for women. At the state level, three extra seats in each State House of Assembly would also be designated for women candidates.
“This is not about tokenism,” Professor Onyia stated. “It is a deliberate strategy to correct decades of underrepresentation and to harness the intellect, compassion, and leadership qualities of Nigerian women.”
The demand aligns with global trends toward gender quotas in legislative institutions. South-East leaders argue that without constitutional safeguards, systemic and cultural barriers will continue to exclude women from active political participation.
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, represented by the Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Moses Odunwa, endorsed the proposal, emphasizing that political parties must be constitutionally mandated to field women for these reserved positions
Another key demand from the South-East was the immediate and unconditional granting of full autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local government councils. Presenters at the hearing strongly criticized the current trend of state governors appointing caretaker committees, a practice which, they said, undermines democracy and weakens service delivery.
According to the South-East stakeholders, true local government autonomy requires:
- Direct allocation of federal funds to local governments through the Federation Account;
- Constitutional prohibition of caretaker committees;
- Fixed tenure for elected local officials;
- Stronger monitoring mechanisms from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society groups.
Governor Mbah’s representative, Professor Onyia, described local governments as the most immediate form of governance citizens encounter, stressing that empowering them would enhance grassroots development, community policing, and local accountability.
Ebonyi State Governor Nwifuru made a passionate appeal for the creation of an additional state in the South-East to correct the numerical imbalance in Nigeria’s federal structure. The South-East is currently the only region in the country with five states, while others have six or seven.
“This asymmetry places us at a disadvantage in national planning, budget allocations, and even in political representation,” Nwifuru noted through his representative. “For fairness and national cohesion, the National Assembly must prioritize the creation of a sixth state in our region.”
While the proposed name of the new state was not formally announced at the hearing, sources close to the zoning committee hinted at long-standing proposals for “Anioma State” and “Etiti State,” among others, being reintroduced during the public submission process.
Several speakers also raised the issue of fiscal federalism and the urgent need to devolve more responsibilities and resources from the federal government to the states. They advocated for constitutional amendments that would allow states to have greater control over mineral resources, taxation, policing, and infrastructure development.
“The over-centralization of powers under the current constitution is a legacy of military rule,” said one speaker, Barrister Nkechi Uzoigwe, a legal consultant from Abia State. “It has become a bottleneck that stifles innovation and responsiveness in state governance.”
Some of the reforms proposed include:
- Allowing states to establish state police forces;
- Granting states the right to exploit natural resources within their domains under a regulated fiscal sharing formula;
- Returning certain legislative items from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, especially education, health, and roads.
During the public hearing, representatives from minority groups within the South-East zone also took the opportunity to highlight concerns about cultural identity, language preservation, and equitable development.
The Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Women’s Wing called for constitutionally guaranteed cultural protections for linguistic minorities, pointing out that minority communities in Enugu, Ebonyi, and Abia often suffer cultural erasure due to dominant narratives.
Other speakers demanded the constitutional institutionalization of traditional rulers’ roles in governance, especially in conflict mediation and community development.
The public hearing featured representatives from a wide range of sectors, including civil society organizations, women’s groups, traditional rulers, student unions, youth associations, and religious leaders. Their presentations, while varied in tone, reflected a unified desire to see Nigeria transformed through a people-driven constitutional reform process.
Senator Osita Izunaso, who represents Imo West and serves as a member of the Senate Constitution Review Committee, praised the South-East for its articulate and organized submissions. “This is exactly what we envisioned—a convergence of perspectives that prioritizes national unity, inclusion, and progress,” he said.
Also present was Senator Victor Umeh, who emphasized that the proposals from the South-East would be compiled, harmonized with submissions from other zones, and presented to the Senate plenary for consideration.
The Senate Constitution Review Committee is expected to conclude all zonal public hearings by the end of July 2025. Thereafter, a comprehensive report will be compiled and debated at the National Assembly. If consensus is reached, proposed amendments will be passed and transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for ratification, as required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.
Analysts note that although constitutional amendments in Nigeria are historically arduous—often stalled by political interests or regional disagreements—the current effort appears more deliberate and responsive to citizens’ aspirations.
“This may be the most promising constitutional amendment effort since 1999,” said Dr. Emma Eke, a political science lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. “The political climate is ripe for reform, especially as Nigerians yearn for a more equitable, accountable, and decentralized system.”
The South-East demands, while regionally focused, have broader national implications. Rotational presidency, enhanced women’s participation, local government autonomy, and fiscal federalism are national issues that resonate across all six geopolitical zones.
Already, civil society organizations from the South-South and North-Central regions have echoed similar demands, suggesting a growing national consensus on the need for structural realignment.
The challenge, however, lies in building cross-regional alliances strong enough to overcome entrenched political interests. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, constitutional reforms may become a key litmus test for political parties and aspirants alike.
As the South-East joins other zones in submitting its proposals, the broader message from the Enugu public hearing is clear: Nigerians want a constitution that reflects the realities of their diversity, aspirations, and democratic values. From gender equity to local empowerment and national inclusivity, the calls for reform are too urgent to ignore.
Whether or not the National Assembly responds meaningfully will define the legacy of this constitutional amendment cycle—and shape Nigeria’s democratic future for decades to come.