The agitation for the creation of Savannah State out of the present Borno State dominated discussions at the North-East Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution held in Maiduguri.
The event, organised by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, took place at the Mohammed Indimi International Conference Centre, University of Maiduguri.
Savannah State, as proposed, comprises nine local government areas in Southern Borno Senatorial District, namely: Biu, Hawul, Askira-Uba, Chibok, Damboa, Shani, Kwaya Kusar, Gwoza and Bayo.
The hearing witnessed a large turnout of supporters who presented memoranda demanding the creation of the state and 14 additional local government areas within the zone.
Chairman of the North-East Zonal Public Hearing, Sen. Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC-Borno North), who represented the Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Constitution Review Committee, commended the peaceful conduct of the participants.
Monguno assured that all submissions, including those on devolution of powers, security restructuring, creation of states and local government autonomy, would be given due consideration.
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Umar Kadafur, also commended the National Assembly for providing the platform for citizens to air their views on constitutional amendments.
He pledged the state government’s continued support for initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity and good governance.
Presenting the memorandum on behalf of the agitators, the Chairman of the Southern Borno Development Association, Amb. Dauda Danladi, mni, said the demand for Savannah State had the support of the state governor, traditional rulers and residents.
He said the call for the creation of Savannah State dated back to the Second Republic.
“We have made several requests in the past, including during the Second Republic between 1982 and 1983, and again in 1996 and 2014, without success.
“We see the ongoing constitutional review as a golden opportunity for our long-standing demand to be addressed.
“We hereby formally submit our request for the creation of Savannah State, with Damboa proposed as the state capital,” Danladi said.
Also speaking, former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Sen. Mohammed Ndume (APC-Borno South), Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) and Sen. Kaka Shehu Lawan (APC-Borno Central) expressed support for the creation of the state.
They pledged to work towards ensuring that the proposal scaled through the constitutional amendment process.
The public hearing also featured other memoranda from groups advocating for issues such as state police, judicial reforms and electoral reforms.
