A two day public hearing on constitutional amendment has opened in Abuja with some Nigerians calling for devolution of powers.
The public hearing is aimed at getting the views of Nigerians on the areas highlighted for amendment in the constitution.
Some of the areas include, but are not limited to, devolution of powers, state creation, the local government system and fiscal federalism.
Since the National Assembly began the process of amending the 1999 constitution, it has received 231 memoranda listing critical areas in the constitution that require amendment.
Constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olisa Agbakoba in his presentation canvassed for the devolution of powers but the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, felt it was not necessary, stating that “ie was not possible.”
It was also gathered at the public hearing that the National Assembly has received a total of 56 memoranda calling for the creation of 36 additional states.
