Constitution Review: Eastern Conscience Group Makes Case For Women, More State For Southeast

MEMORANDUM TO THE CONSTITUTION REVIEW COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.

18th July 2025.

The Chairman,
Federal House of Representatives
Constitution ReviewCommittee
National Assembly Complex
Three Arms Zone, Abuja.

SUBJECT:

MEMORANDUM CANVASSING SUPPORT FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS ON INCLUSION, SECURITY, DEMOCRATIC ACCOUNTABILITY, AND STRUCTURAL EQUITY.

The undersigned stakeholders respectfully submit this memorandum to the Constitution Review Committee of the National Assembly to propose critical constitutional reforms that
will strengthen democracy, enhance citizen participation, improve governance outcomes, and promote national unity and development. These proposals are grounded in extensive public
interest advocacy, stakeholder consultations, and empirical realities across the six geo political zones of Nigeria.

We respectfully urge the Constitution Review Committee to consider the following reforms:

1. Creationof Reserved Seats for Women in the National and State Houses of Assembly.

Rationale:

Despite constituting nearly 50% of Nigeria’s population, women remain grossly underrepresented in legislative institutions. Current female representation in the National Assembly is less than 5%, ranking Nigeria among the lowest in Africa in terms of gender inclusivity in governance.

Proposal:

We propose an amendment to the Constitution to create:

● A minimum of 35% reserved legislative seats for women in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

● A minimum of 35% reserved seats for women in all State Houses of Assembly.

This measure will promote gender equity, enrich legislative deliberations with diverse perspectives, and align Nigeria with global best practices and its commitments under the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the African Union Protocol on the Rights of Women.

2. Establishment of State Police.

Rationale:

The current centralized policing structure has proven inadequate in responding to Nigeria’s complex security challenges. Community-level threats, banditry, kidnapping, and herder-farmer conflicts require localized, responsive security frameworks.

Proposal:

We propose a constitutional amendment to:

● Empower states to establish and maintain State Police Forces,
● Provide for inter-agency cooperation between Federal and State policing institutions,
● Guarantee accountability mechanisms through State Assemblies and Human Rights Commissions to prevent abuse.
This decentralization will promote responsive policing, enhance community trust, and strengthen public safety.

3. Provisionfor the Conduct of Referendum on National and State-Level Matters of Importance.

Rationale:

The current Constitution lacks a framework for referenda, denying citizens direct participation in critical national and state decisions. Referendums are instruments of participatory democracy used globally to resolve contentious issues, legitimize reforms, and
build public trust.

Proposal:

We recommend the inclusion of provisions to:

● Enable National Referenda on issues such as restructuring, constitutional amendments, national identity questions and questions on self determination;

● Permit State-Level Referenda on matters like state boundary adjustments, local government creation, or major policy directions;

● Establish procedures under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to regulate referendum processes.

4. Free and Compulsory Basic Education

Rationale:

Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children globally, with socio-economic consequences including illiteracy, unemployment, insecurity, and poverty. A constitutional
guarantee of free and compulsory basic education will secure the future of Nigeria’s children and uplift national development.

Proposal:

Amend the Constitution to:

● Make free and compulsory education up to Junior Secondary School (JSS3) a justiciable right (in Chapter IV – Fundamental Rights),
● Mandate budgetary provision by all tiers of government, and
● Impose sanctions on state and local governments that fail to implement this mandate.

5. Creationof an Additional State for the South-East Geo political Zone.

Rationale:

The South-East currently has only five states, compared to six in other zones and seven in the North-West, creating imbalance in resource allocation, representation, and political equity. This longstanding marginalization has fueled distrust and alienation.

Proposal:

We propose the creation of one additional state in the South-East, selected through regional consultations and subject to referendum. This will correct historical injustice and
promote national cohesion.

6. Provision for Timely Inauguration of Legislatures

Rationale:

The delay in inaugurating newly elected legislatures at both national and state levels often causes a constitutional vacuum and governance limbo, with significant policy and budgetary
implications.

Proposal:

We propose that the Constitution be amended to provide that:

● The President shall inaugurate the National Assembly within seven(7) days of being sworn into office;
● Each Governor shall inaugurate the State House of Assembly within seven(7) days of being sworn in.

Failure to comply within the stipulated period should attract constitutional sanctions, including automatic convocation by the Clerk and interim presiding arrangements.

CONCLUSION:

These proposals are not only necessary to deepen Nigeria’s democracy, but they are also in line with the legitimate aspirations of millions of Nigerians seeking equity, accountability, and better governance. We urge this Committee to prioritize these recommendations in the ongoing constitutional review process.
We are available to provide additional technical support, documentation, or to appear at public hearings to further elaborate on these proposals.

Respectfully submitted,

Signed:

Eastern Conscience Group

Contacts for Follow-Up:
● Evang. Myke Obinna Ikoku
● Achike Udenwa Avenue, New Owerri, Imo state
● Easternconsciencegroup@gmail.com
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