Mark raises hope on state creation, power rotation

President of the Senate, David Mark, has insisted that the  amendment to the 1999 Constitution must take into account  the anxieties, fears, agitation and future of minority groups in the country. He said this while addressing the Anioma Congress from Delta State on Thursday, in Abuja.
Mark  said this was necessary to provide all Nigerians the needed opportunity for peace, unity and security under a united Nigerian federation.
He added, “One of the ways to address the imbalances would be the creation of additional states for  deserving areas and facilitating development in  all nooks and crannies of the nation.
“I strongly believe that we truly need to create more states to meet the needs of agitators, bring a sense of belonging to the people, promote healthy competition among the federating units, as well as guaranteeing peace and security in the land.”
Mark, however, noted that should state creation fail to get immediate consideration, zoning or rotation of top political offices, such as governor of a state, should be inserted into the constitution forthwith.
He  said rotation of political offices would douse tension, agitation  and  feeling  of marginalisation by   minority groups in the country.
He further said a situation where some sections of a state were permanently confined to playing a second fiddle  was not good for harmonious   existence among the people.
Mark said for peace, security and development to thrive, fairness and equity must be the yardstick for relating between and among the co-habiting groups.
He hinted that the Senate Constitution Review Committee would next week meet in Lagos State to put finishing touches to the compilation of the requests , findings and recommendations for the Constitution amendment before submitting the document for consideration.
According to him, the Senate will be fair, honest and just in  its consideration of the report and will reflect the wishes and aspirations  of Nigerians in a manner that would promote peace, unity and development of the nation.
In his remarks, leader of the delegation and   Asagba of Asaba, Obi Chike Edozien, enumerated efforts by the Anioma people   to have  a state of their own since 1983.
He noted that the proposed Anioma State is endowed with enough human and material resources that would make  it viable.
The monarch, who led other traditional rulers from Delta North Senatorial District, also  demanded that the zone should be allowed to produce the next governor of the state in 2015.
He argued that in the spirit of fairness and equity, other zones which had got the opportunity should cooperate with Delta North to have a shot at the governorship slot.