Constitutional Review: Injustice Against South East Deeply Entrenched, Visible, Say, Umeh
Ben Nnabu
Senator representing Anambra Central, Senator Victor Umeh has warmed that unless deliberate efforts are made to correct the inherited structural injustices against the South East zone, national unity and equity would remain elusive.
Speaking during a constitutional engagement in Ebonyi State, Umeh noted that the constitution of Nigeria was drafted by the military government which has continued to marginalize the region.
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Umeh is a member of the Senate Committee on the ongoing Review of the 1999 Constitution.
“The first problem is that the constitution we operate today was not produced through a democratic, civilian process,”.
“It was a military constitution, crafted by a government that imposed a structure which continues to disadvantage the Southeast. The injustices are not abstract—they are measurable, visible, and deeply entrenched,” Umeh further stated.
The senator noted that the Southeast remains the only region with just five states and a total of 95 local government areas (LGAs), compared to the Northwest’s 186 LGAs, including 44 in Kano and 38 in Jigawa. The Southwest and South-South boast 137 and over 100 LGAs respectively.
“Federal appointments, resource distribution, and even national delegate voting during party primaries are all tied to state and LGA numbers. This imbalance is not just political—it affects our economic development and national relevance.”
He lamented that while some zones have up to eight ministers in the current administration, the Southeast is limited to five due to its fewer states.
Umeh pointed to the 2014 National Conference as a turning point, where 492 delegates unanimously agreed that at least one additional state should be created for the Southeast to bridge the gap.
“That consensus must be honoured. Even if no other new state is created in Nigeria, the Southeast deserves one more at the very least in the name of equity and national cohesion,” he said.
He also stressed how the current structure undermines Southeast voices in national political processes.
“In national conventions of political parties, delegates are chosen from LGAs. With the fewest LGAs, we go in with the smallest voice. It’s a systemic suppression, and it cuts across every sphere of governance,” hinted.
Beyond political representation, Umeh advocated for deeper reforms, including decentralising the Nigerian Police Force.
“The current centralised policing structure is ineffective. It has failed to curb rising insecurity. State police is no longer a theoretical debate—it is a practical necessity. Even the Governors’ Forum is gradually embracing the idea,” added.
While acknowledging the uphill task of amending the constitution, Umeh said piecemeal efforts must not be abandoned.
“We have pushed for a new constitution, but if we can’t get that now, we must at least fix what we have. Eventually, the pressure of injustice will force a reckoning,”‘he said.
