Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State and his Enugu State counterpart have expressed support for the creation of additional states in the South-East region, noting that this will not only address the imbalance in the geo-political structure of the country but will foster economic and infrastructural development of the zone.

Nwifuru stated this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, in Abakaliki yesterday.

Nwifuru stated this when he received members of the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution in his office.

Nwifuru noted: “To end regional squabbles permanently, I urge the National Assembly to ensure marginalisation and structural imbalances are constitutionally addressed.

“Out of the six geopolitical zones in the country, only this region has five states, a development that can trigger resentment amongst the people.”

The governor, who said the review is necessary, advocated that the office of the President be rotated among the six geo-political zones for equity and fairness.

“That the South-East geo-political zone has not occupied the position of the President since 1999 is an injustice. What is the essence of the geo-political zone structure if the office of the President cannot be tested by all the zones?” the governor queried.

On his part, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State also called for the creation of an additional state in the South-East, to bring the region at par with other geo-political zones.

Mbah also called for a rotational presidency and state police to give every part of the country a sense of belonging, as well as secure the nation better.

The governor made the call in Enugu when he received members of the Senate Committee on Constitution Amendment, who were on a courtesy visit to him at the Government House, Enugu.

MEANWHILE, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have stated that the current Constitution has excluded many Nigerians, stressing that its review is the surest way to achieve peace, and development and end rising agitations in the country.

The organisations, which undertook a sensitisation walk on the streets of Enugu State that ended at the venue of Senate Constitutional review for South-East in Enugu, under the auspices of the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), insisted that Nigeria needs a Constitution that must be inclusive, gender-responsive and allows room for credible elections.