By Romanus Uzor
The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate and Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has firmly opposed the call by some eminent Nigerians under the aegis of The Patriots for the outright discard of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, describing such a move as “unnecessary and unrealistic.”
Speaking during a live interview on Arise TV on Thursday, Senator Nwebonyi argued that while the Constitution was crafted during a military era, it still contains enduring provisions that reflect the democratic ideals of the Nigerian people.
He emphasized that rather than discarding the Constitution entirely, focus should be placed on amending its weak sections to reflect current realities.
“The Constitution, like any document, can evolve through amendments. Some sections have stood the test of time and are still useful. What we need is robust public engagement and constructive reforms not throwing away the entire Constitution,” Nwebonyi stated.
The lawmaker made his remarks against the backdrop of ongoing constitutional amendment processes by the National Assembly.
As the Chairman of the South-East Zonal Public Hearing on Constitutional Amendment (held from July 4–5, 2025), Nwebonyi disclosed that his committee received numerous submissions from stakeholders within the zone, with key demands centering around state creation, state police, and devolution of powers.
He reiterated the long-standing demand for the creation of an additional state in the South-East geopolitical zone, noting that the region remains the only zone in Nigeria with five states, while others have six or seven.
He described this as a structural imbalance that must be corrected to ensure equity, justice, and fairness in the federation.
“The South-East has a legitimate and compelling case for an additional state. It’s not about politics; it’s about equity. Other regions must support this call to promote national unity and balance,” he added.
Senator Nwebonyi also lent his voice in support of state police as a solution to the worsening security challenges across the country, stressing that community-based policing will strengthen local intelligence and response systems.
On resource control and devolution of powers, the senator argued that states should have the right to manage their natural resources particularly solid minerals and remit agreed royalties and taxes to the federal government. This, he said, would promote economic diversification and reduce overdependence on oil revenues.
Looking forward, the senator revealed plans for a joint public hearing of the National Assembly to aggregate opinions and inputs from Nigerians on the proposed constitutional amendments. He expressed confidence that the final document, after due legislative processes, would be transmitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.
Senator Nwebonyi’s firm stance has added momentum to the ongoing national dialogue on constitutional reform, particularly regarding state creation and restructuring—key issues that continue to shape Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Romanus Uzor is the Special Assistant to the Senate Deputy Chief Whip on Media and Publicity.
