David Mark

Kunle Akogun  in  Abuja 

The agitation for the creation of Edu State from the present Niger and Kwara States has got a boost, as the Senate indicated its readiness to support the demand in the ongoing constitution review exercise.

Senate President David Mark said this in Abuja while receiving an updated memorandum from the leader of a delegation from the three states, Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.

Mark, who was represented by Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, said, “Your request is already one of the over 50 requests we have.
Your request will enjoy our urgent attention because of the people who are part of it. We can’t take the calibre of the people here today for granted.

“The Senate will do its bit which is the constitutional process, but you must do your own bit mobilsing the political support by convincing others to drop the need for their requests for yours.

To create new states, we have to amend the schedule to the constitution, and given the mechanisms for constitution amendment, we must build a national consensus.

The amendment process starts from us, but it doesn’t end with us. It requires a consensus of two-third of the State Assemblies”, he said.

Former Minister of Information and National Orientation Prof. Jerry Gana, who was a member of the delegation, said the proposed Edu State is a prospective oil-producing state with its variety of solid minerals.

Other members of the delegation were the  Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Honourable Adamu Usman Mokwa; Etsu Agaie, Alhaji Mohammed Kudu Abubakar, the publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, among others.