APC Bauchi south stakeholders advocate creation of more States, LGAs
By Ahmed Ahmed
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi South Senatorial District have strongly advocated for the creation of additional states and local government areas (LGAs) as part of the ongoing efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
They argued that the move would improve representation, bring governance closer to the people, and enhance the quality of public service delivery.
The call was made at a one-day constitutional review summit held on Tuesday in Bauchi.
The summit was jointly organized by the APC Bauchi South Zonal Executive Committee and the Senator representing the district, Shehu Buba Umar, who also chairs the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
According to the stakeholders, the creation of more administrative units would address issues of marginalization, promote inclusivity, and allow minority communities to have a stronger voice in governance.
They emphasised that many areas across the country are underrepresented and underserved due to the concentration of power and resources in distant administrative centers.
However, the forum also provided a platform for dissenting voices. Some participants expressed concerns about the potential implications of creating new states and LGAs, such as increased public expenditure, administrative inefficiencies, political tensions, and the risk of further fragmentation of national unity.
They warned that the benefits must be weighed against possible long-term challenges, including the sustainability of governance structures.
Alhaji Abdulmumini Kundak, Chairman of the APC Bauchi South Zonal Committee, said the forum was aimed at generating informed input that would be forwarded to the Constitution Review Committee at the national level.
He said the summit was an opportunity for stakeholders in Bauchi South to articulate their position on key national issues and defend the region’s interests.
According to him this is in preparation for the upcoming Zonal Public Hearing in Maiduguri, Borno State, the stakeholders agreed to constitute a special committee that would collect, harmonize, and vet memoranda from various communities within the senatorial district.
The committee is expected to ensure a unified and coherent presentation of the region’s demands.
Barrister Ibrahim Umar was named Chairman of the Memoranda Committee. He assured participants of a prompt, transparent, and inclusive process to gather the views of all interest groups,including marginalized communities, traditional institutions, youth, and women organizations.
The Bauchi State APC Chairman, Hassan Tilde, represented by Barrister Rabiu Garba, the party’s legal officer, urged stakeholders to focus their submissions on proposals that would promote economic development, peace, unity, and good governance.
The summit drew participants from a wide spectrum of society, including political representatives, civil society organizations, legal professionals, traditional rulers, women groups, youth associations, artisans, and trade unions.
Discussions centered on identifying constitutional provisions that require reform to better reflect the realities, challenges, and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
