A joint committee of the Nigerian Senate and the House of Representatives has suggested that six more states be added to the nation.
After a two-day retreat in Lagos, which was co-chaired by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu and Deputy President of the Senate Barau Jibrin, the legislators came to the resolution.
The committee unanimously decided to create six more states in the nation after reviewing 55 bids for state creation.
During the retreat, they reviewed 69 measures, 55 proposals for state creation, two border revisions, and 278 requests for local government development.
As a result, the country would have 42 states instead of just 36 if the plan is implemented.
According to the resolution, each of the six geopolitical zones—North West, North East, North Central, South West, South South, and South East—would see the establishment of one more state.
South West seven, South East six, North West eight, North East seven, and North Central seven are currently the seven states that make up South South after the approval.
With the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja being regarded as a state, the North Central may also boast seven states. Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and the Plateau are all included.
Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe are the six Northeastern states.
There are already seven states in the northwest: Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo are the only five states in the South East that are clearly lacking.
The six states that make up South South are the same as those in South West: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers.
The South East, which felt marginalized in that way, made the fiercest protests throughout the state-creation debate, which focused on balancing the numbers.
According to regional stakeholders and other well-meaning Nigerians, the South East required a single state in order to implement justice and equity.
But according to the joint committee’s plan, a region would have eight states, others seven, and the South East would only have six.
Concerns about the recommendation have been voiced by some regional political players, who maintain that it will increase inequality.
Elder statesman Dr. Chike Obidigbo was more worried about what he called the unnecessary rancour over an extra state for the South East while discussing the development.
Obidigbo stated that there is no need for the ongoing disputes about where the new state for South East should be divided.
He emphasized that there was a clandestine attempt to sow discord among Igbo, and he condemned the political ploys used in the attempt to solve South East’s structural marginalization.
He pointed out that leaders of the Igbo nation under the Ohanaeze Ndigbo should hold a meeting to carefully consider the numerous demands in order to reach a peaceful conclusion, rather than inflaming the political climate with conflicting agitations for the extra state.
“One of the first known calls for the establishment of a state is Adada.
However, we have heard the benefits of dividing the current five states in the South East into homogeneous communities to create an Etiti State.
“I believe that Anioma should be recognized as a separate state when the suggested one state from each of the six geopolitical zones is taken into consideration if Etiti State is given preferential consideration.
“I am forced to adopt this stance since, in contrast to the military administrations, a referendum would still be required for the state creation endeavor.
Additionally, Obidigbo clarified, “I do not think that the Delta State House of Assembly would readily vote for an Anioma State as an appendage of the South East.”
He revealed that some outside forces were responsible for the arguments and proposal to merge Anioma State with South East, noting that the political strategy of those promoting that agenda is to create division within the Igbo community due to the negative ideas of core and periphery Igbo.
“I believe that the issue of geography should be respected,” he said. It would be up to Igbo leaders to determine which state should be given priority if the Igbanke people of Edo State decide to join Anioma and the Igbo communities of Benue and Kogi decide to join Adada.
Additionally, keep in mind that the political office holders in those regions would be inclined to cast their votes based on where they believe their electoral interests are well-served. Although I respect Senator Chinedu Nwoko’s efforts to reach out, a group, not a single person, would ultimately make the final choice.
Dr. Chuka Nnabuife, Managing Director of the Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office, added, “I don’t actually engage in discussions of marginalization or non-marginalization.”
I have to start by praising the National Assembly for taking the initiative to acknowledge the need for additional states.
“Take it or leave it—the claim that there are numerous states is unpersuasive. It’s similar to suggesting that a company’s economy will suffer if it has a lot of business entities. Bringing entities that are able to secure finance loans is the best thing you can accomplish. Thus, development is brought about.
“And anyone who has lived in Nigeria during the time we had twelve states, 19 states, 30 states, and now 36 states will see that the standard of living has significantly improved.”
But there is a need for justice and equity. It is necessary to balance the equation, not because of disagreements over Southeast or anything else.
“There should be a balance between the number of states in the Southeast and other regions because equity and fairness are provided.
There’s even a region where there are currently seven. The South East has five while others have six. Therefore, the South East will continue to have a shortage if one more state is added to the areas, and that shortfall must be balanced.
“I support the formation of further states. In the Southeast, I am also in favor of adding another state.
“Therefore, I don’t mind if we create one more state in the Southeast, but the imbalance will continue if we create one more state in the Southeast and additional states for the other regions.”
“I propose two states in the Southeast, one in other areas, and, if feasible, none in an area that currently has seven. Equity and justice are the terms used to describe that.
