Bayelsa Recommends 33 New LGAs, State Police, and Sweeping Reforms in Constitution Review

In addition to the eight local government areas that already exist in the state, Bayelsa State has requested the establishment of 25 more.

The state also suggested judicial, electoral, and fiscal federalism reforms, as well as the creation of a state police force.
During the ongoing public hearing of the House of Representatives’ Committee on the Review of the 1999 constitution, which was organized by the South South Centre A (which includes Bayelsa, Delta, and Edo) at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa on Saturday, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, gave the state’s position.
Mr. Dambo stated that the state needed to establish new councils since the existing local government regions were overcrowded, with some having more than 150 communities.

Additionally, the state argued that it possessed the financial means to support the planned councils, which were established by the House of Assembly in accordance with Section 8(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as modified).
Bayelsa proposed a restructuring of the nation based on fiscal federalism, which would give the federal government 40% of the tax revenue from the federating states’ onshore and offshore natural resources while allowing the states to keep 60% of their revenue.

The state claimed that the establishment of state police would increase states’ ability to combat crime and maintain proper security.

It further stated that Nigeria was ready for state policing and that the state police initiative was in line with true federalism.

The state’s stance also includes judicial reforms, electoral reforms to bolster the Independent National Elec­toral Commission, a review of the exclusive and parliamentary lists, and an examination of the local government system and autonomy.

Speaking earlier, Senator Douye Diri, the governor of Bayelsa State, stated that the fundamental right of the people to modify the constitution that established their government is the cornerstone of every strong democracy.

A review of the constitution, he said, guarantees that it is a dynamic document that changes to meet the shifting needs and goals of the people rather than a static one.

The core of Bayelsa State’s demands, according to Governor Diri, was a strong dedication to creating a federal system and structure that was “genuinely just, equitable, responsive, and demonstrably dedicated to the holistic development of not just the state or the Ni­ger Delta region but also the Nigerian federation.”

He went on to say that the people of Bayelsa wanted “historical injustices related to the inequitable allocation of resources, alongside the glaring disparities in the creation and distribution of local government areas to be corrected.”

Attorney General Samson Osagie represented Senator Monday Okpebolo, the governor of Delta State, at the occasion, while Sir Monday Onyeme, his deputy, represented the governor.

The constitution review exercise was endorsed by both governors, who claimed it would fix the present constitution’s shortcomings and close its gaps.

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They also pointed out that the 1999 constitution had grown to be a highly contentious text.

Additionally, the South South Center chairman Before being placed on the House floor, each paper would undergo a thorough assessment and presentation to the entire Constitution assessment Committee, according to Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the House of Representatives’ majority leader and committee chair.

Ihonvbere said that the involvement of stakeholders would improve Nigeria and make democracy more inclusive and participatory.

Representatives from the state, including Dr. Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekerem­or Federal Constituency), Mrs. Marie Ebikake (Nem­be/Brass), Dr. Mitema Ob­ordor (Ogbia), and Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw), as well as Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of As­sembly Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere and his Delta State counterpart Emomotimi Guwor, participated in the event.

Among the other dignitaries in attendance were King Alfred Diete-Spiff, the chairman of the state council of traditional rulers, King Bubaraye Dakolo, the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, and other traditional leaders from Bayelsa, Delta, and Edo states.