By Rauf Oyewole, Bauchi
Stakeholders from Bauchi State have called for the creation of a new state, the establishment of additional local government areas, and a defined constitutional role for traditional rulers as part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly.
The demands were raised during a town hall meeting held in Bauchi on Tuesday, convened by Senator Shehu Umar Buba, who represents Bauchi South and chairs the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence. The event was organised in collaboration with the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi South Zonal Executive Committee.
The summit provided a platform for broad-based consultations, drawing participation from government officials, traditional rulers, legal practitioners, civil society organisations, political leaders, women and youth groups, trade unions, and artisans.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Bauchi South Zonal Executive Committee on the Constitution Review, Hon. Abdulmumini Mohammed Kundak, said the aim of the summit was to gather meaningful input and arrive at a collective position that captures the diverse aspirations of Nigerians. He affirmed that the outcomes of the discussion would be presented at the Zonal Public Hearing scheduled to hold in Maiduguri, Borno State.
“We are committed to ensuring that the voices of the people of Bauchi South Senatorial District are reflected in the amended constitution. Our goal is to shape a legal framework that is inclusive, protective of constituent interests, and reflective of our diversity,” Kundak stated.
To streamline the submission process, stakeholders at the meeting resolved to set up a committee responsible for collecting and harmonising memoranda submitted by various communities.
Barrister Ibrahim Yakubu Umar, who was appointed as chairman of the newly constituted committee, assured participants of an efficient, timely, and transparent process. He pledged to consult widely with all relevant communities to avoid duplication and to ensure consistency across the submissions.
“We are fully committed to ensuring that no voice is excluded. Every community will be heard, and all valid submissions will be properly compiled and forwarded to the appropriate channels,” Barrister Umar said.
The summit represents a significant move by Bauchi stakeholders to engage proactively in shaping constitutional reforms, with clear demands aimed at deepening federalism, strengthening grassroots governance, and affirming the place of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s democratic structure.
