Stakeholders in Bauchi State have called on the National Assembly to use the ongoing constitutional review process to grant constitutional roles to traditional rulers, create additional local government areas, and consider the creation of a new state out of the present Bauchi State.
The demands were made during a one-day town hall summit convened by Senator Shehu Buba Umar, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District and chairs the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
The event, held in collaboration with the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bauchi South Zonal Executive Committee, was part of the public engagement process on the proposed amendment of the 1999 Constitution.
The summit brought together stakeholders, including government representatives, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, legal practitioners, youth and women groups, trade unions, political actors, artisans, and members of the general public, all of whom contributed to the robust discussions on key constitutional reforms.
In his remarks, Abdulmumini Mohammed Kundak, Chairman of the APC Zonal Executive Committee for the Constitution Review, said the summit was aimed at collating meaningful contributions from constituents to shape a constitution that truly reflects Nigeria’s diversity and protects the interests of Bauchi South residents.
He noted that the outcome of the summit would be presented at the Zonal Public Hearing scheduled to take place in Maiduguri, Borno State.
“As we deliberate today, the voices of our people will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our country. We are committed to ensuring that the interests of Bauchi South are well represented in this process,” Kundak said.
As part of efforts to streamline the submission of memoranda, stakeholders resolved to set up a committee dedicated to collecting and reviewing all memoranda submitted by communities.
The committee’s mandate includes harmonising submissions to eliminate inconsistencies, duplications, or conflicting interests, particularly among communities with similar requests.
Ibrahim Yakubu Umar, who was appointed chairman of the newly inaugurated committee, assured participants of the committee’s readiness to work swiftly and efficiently.
He stressed the importance of timely coordination and pledged that memoranda collation and forwarding would be completed without delay.
“We are committed to transparency, fairness, and inclusive consultation,” Barrister Umar said. “No voice will be left unheard in this process.”
