A member of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Victor Umeh, has decried the marginalisation of the South-East geopolitical zone, describing Nigeria’s current constitutional framework as unjust, unbalanced and outdated.

Speaking during a constitutional engagement in Ebonyi State, Umeh delivered a passionate critique of Nigeria’s military-imposed constitution, warning that unless deliberate efforts are made to correct the inherited structural injustices, national unity and equity will remain elusive.

Umeh who represents Anambra Central Senatorial zone, stated that the first problem was that the constitution the country 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 South-East. The injustices are not abstract — they are measurable, visible and deeply entrenched,” he further stated.

Citing figures to drive home his point, the senator noted that the South-East remains the only region with just five states and a total of 95 local government areas (LGAs), compared to the North-West’s 186 LGAs, including 44 in Kano and 38 in Jigawa. The South-West 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.”

Highlighting the skewed nature of ministerial appointments, he lamented that while some zones have up to eight ministers in the current administration, the South-East is limited to five due to its fewer states.

This, he said, is not a reflection of merit or competence, but of constitutional design rooted in inequality.

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 South-East to bridge the gap.

“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 South-East 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,” he noted.

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.

Appealing to the nation’s conscience, he said: “This is not a battle of strength. It’s about doing what is right. Injustice is an open wound; only the truth can heal it. Let us be guided by conscience and fairness so that Nigeria can become a truly united nation.”

Nigerian music executive, Don Jazzy, has said he can’t be sexually committed to only one woman.

He explained that he doesn’t have the discipline to be faithful to a partner.

Speaking in a episode of the Nancy Iaime Show, the Mavin boss said ladies might avoid him due to his honesty, but he can’t lie about being sexually committed to a partner.

He said, “I don’t believe that I am strong enough to be with [only] one person. I think. People will run away from me being truthful. I will not be dating you and telling you that you’re the only person.

“Some people have the strength to be sexually committed once they are attracted to somebody. But for me, the fact that you’re a beautiful lady doesn’t stop me from admiring another woman. She is also beautiful.”

Women At Risk International Foundation, (WARIF) has continued to advocate against Gender Based Violence, especially Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) as well as other harmful practices in Akwa Ibom State.

It urged victims to speak up and report to relevant authorities in their local communities as there are available laws to give them succor and punish offenders.

Recall that WARIF in partnership with UN Women through the UN-Leap Project had on May 8 trained traditional rulers and faith leaders in Uyo on dangers of GBV, after which the Traditional Rulers Council in turn had an open declaration for the abolition of all forms of violation against anyone, especially women and children.

To solidify the declaration, the Program Lead of WARIF, Adeola Potts-Johnson, who spoke with newsmen at the end of a sensitization walk in Uyo during the weekend, said phone numbers have been made available for not only victims of GBV but everyone to call in and report related incidents for prompt action .

Johnson therefore encouraged traditional and faith leaders to spearhead the awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts in order to dismantle harmful gender norms and practices in their local communities and churches.

She said, “This initiative is designed to assess the commitments made by traditional and faith leaders in Nigeria to end violence against women and girls (VAWG) and eliminate harmful cultural practices.

“It’s not just only about the declaration we had in May, but to see it documented and implemented. We carried out a dialogue with community leaders, youth leaders across the four clans in Uyo, giving out our fliers to talk about dangers of gender based violence, what it is and numbers they can call in response to these vices if you see them. We want to ensure that people at the grassroots also get that information.”

The village head of Ikot Ntuen Oku, Eteidung Nsikan Ikpe, who represented the Paramount ruler of Uyo, Edidem Sylvanus Okon, said the people have been sensitized on the implications of indulging in any form of gender based violence including rape, battery and defilement. He added that sanity had returned to the communities.

“There is a lot of impact after the declaration. Everybody is now cautious and we always encourage people to report to village heads, family heads, youth leaders or any authority issues of abuse,” he said.

The Youth Leader, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Pastor Mfon Umoh admitted the high level of GBV in the society and urged WARIF to sensitize the people on the dangers of GBV even as he noted that churches are working hard in preaching against GBV during their meetings and conventions.

Speaking, Nkechi Udoh, the desk officer for the UN Women LEAP Project in the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, said GBV remains a capital offense and should not be condoned.

She disclosed that people have been coming out to speak and report cases of GBV following the level of awareness so far, adding that more sensitization needs to be done to encourage others to come out.

“People are coming to make reports and even just today somebody came and reported. Victims were actually staying back because of stigma, because of labeling, and because most of the perpetrators make them do some nasty things, take some substance just to instill fear. There’s that fear factor in them.

“So my advice, my suggestion is that they should be brave enough, not just for themselves, to fight for the others. Because of they do not speak out, that violence will continue. That person may continue violating him or her and will continue doing it to others.”