Nigeria Content Online

Senators have
called for the creation of one more state in the South East region, as
well the appointment of one more Supreme Court judge to balance the
nation’s federalism.

The senators made
the call on Wednesday while confirming the newly appointed justices of
the Supreme Court. The appointment of Bode Rhodes-Vivour and Suleiman
Galadima as Justices of the Supreme Court bring the number of judges at
the Supreme Court to 17, however, the senators argued that the South
East and North East region of the country were not adequately
represented in the appointments. Ayogu Eze (PDP Enugu state) argued
that the regional imbalance in the appointment reflects the
marginalization South East region and the need for a new state in the
region to balance national representation. “Currently, the South East
region has five states while the rest regions have six each; there is
need for balance in these areas,” he said.

Ike Ekweremadu, the
deputy senate president also expressed surprise, saying that he is
“worried that we have two Supreme Court Justices.” He however claimed
that “there is every need for balance across the geopolitical zones.”
Arguing in the same line, Smart Adeyemi (PDP Kogi state) and Chairman
of the senate committee on federal character, said it was imperative
the lawmakers considers the creation of one more state in the South
East region to balance the principle of federal character.

Responsive representatives’

Confirming the
determination of the senate to embark on state creation, David Mark,
the Senate President, told a group campaigning for the creation of
Hadejia State that following the successful completion and passage into
law of some amended sections of the 1999 Constitution, the National
Assembly is now poised for creation of more states. Mr Mark, while
receiving the delegates, said the state creation exercise is paramount
in response to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. “As elected
representatives of the people, we carry the burden of the people and we
respond in a manner that would meet their yearnings and aspirations,”
he said.

According to Mr Mark, the senate shall consider every state creation
request on its merit and it must include but not limited to economic
and political viability of the proposed state. He expressed optimism
that creation of more states would bring government nearer to the
people and usher in an era of even development and healthy competition
between and among the federating states.