Clarion call to national assembly on joint committee on review of constitution; additional eight states is fair enough, by Kola Amzat

Like recurring decimal, states creation has staged a defining comeback to the nation polity. It would always be there. It’s indeed important for it to always form part of the national discourse.

Reason: it’s the only instrument that could propel Nigeria to development in all facets; economic, infrastructures, political and even, socio-cultural.

It’s also the platform that could seamlessly launch out and showcase hidden human talents, abound in the nooks and crannies.

How could Nigeria have discovered Professor Babagana Umaru Zulum, Alex Otti, Peter Mbah, governors of Borno, Abia and Enugu respectively, if not for creation of additional states?

It’s therefore not surprising when the National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review arose these past few days, from their meeting to approve the creation of six (6) new states, one in each of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, as part of its resolution in the on-going review of the nation’s constitution.   

This writer joins millions of Nigerians in saluting the sense of duty and responsibility, will and vision of the NASS joint committee members rooted in patriotism and sheer courage to make the recommendation.

However, the journey has just begun. There is a need to move beyond their recommendation. 

The six states, one in each geopolitical zone recommended for approval, is not significantly reflective of the present realities in the polity.

Presently, there is no doubt that Nigeria has outgrown her existing 42 states structure. A vast country of about 240 million population, with more than 300 ethnic groups should be properly represented.

The NASS joint committee should therefore move beyond the ordinary. State creation is not a chess game. Recommending for additional states should be an opportunity to correct past anomalies and mistakes.

North-west and South-west cases MUST be treated on their own merits.

Their circumstance is not the same with other geopolitical zones, particularly in terms of population, viability, ethnic presence, vast space of land, economic activities etc.    

This writer therefore recommends for additional two states to be created from the two geopolitical zones. There are justifiable reasons to back this up.

Presently, Ibadan metropolis remains very dominant of all the five zones (Ibadan, Oyo, Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, Ibarapa) in the state. For emphasis, in the past three decades, Ibadans have never allowed other zones to breathe. They don’t even concede an inch.

On account of unassailable population of the Ibadan zone, no other zone has been opportune to present a governor since the turn of the 4th Republic and even, much earlier, except for Otunba Alao Akala from Ogbomoso, who only by sheer luck ascended from Ogbomoso zone just because Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja got impeached.

The situation would continue forever unless Ibadans are allowed to go their separate ways.

Presently, as I drop this Piece, all the aspirants bidding for governorship of the state in the forthcoming 2027 general elections are all of Ibadan descent.  

If the additional states creation exercise MUST HAVE MEANING, it’s  very imperative and germane for new Ibadan state to be created, consisting Ibadans, Ibarapa, possibly Iwos, Ikires, and all other small communities wrongly and mistakenly grouped with Osun state during the last state creation exercise about four decades ago.

Then other zones in the present Oyo state would remain and constitute the Oyo state with Oyo kingdom as State Capital.  

It’s also instructive to make a case for the creation of Ijebu State. With all intents and purposes, Egbas (Abeokutas) should not be lording over the Ijebus. Presently, this is the arrangement.

The two endowed vast communities in terms of human resources and economic activities, as well as historical antecedents are unarguably on the same pedestal.

Of course, there has been no love lost between the two key Yoruba communities since it became apparent that Abeokuta has to be the state capital. Suffice to submit that the peace presently between them is that of the graveyard, as the two communities have to devise ways of cohabiting together within the same state.  

Federal government, in collaboration with the National Assembly must therefore capitalize on this another CYCLE OF STATE CREATION to correct this anomaly once and for all. It’s then the new exercise would make significant meaning to the population.

If created, New Ijebu State should consists of Ijebu Ode as Capital, Sagamu, Iperu Remo, Ode Remo, Ijebu Igbo, Ago Iwoye, Ijebu Oru, Odogbolu, Ikenne, Ososa, Abigi, Ijebu-Ife, Ilisan Remo etc.

Present Ogun state should continue with its Abeokuta as State Capital, as well as other communities of Ilaro, Sango Otta, Ibafo, Mowe, Ibese, Ewekoro, Ifo, Akute, Alagbole, Lambe, and part of Berger, Ishasi.

Also recommended for additional two states is North-west geopolitical zones.

For emphasis, an additional one state each is recommended for both Kano and Katsina states in order to create a balance and equilibrium.  

Of the present Kano state, Ghari or any other state should be created with Capital in Nassarawa and to consist Tarauni, Ungogo, Warawa, Bichi, Dawakin Tofa, Gwarzo, Kabo, Kunchi, Makoda, Rimin Gado, Tsanyawa, Ajingi, Albasu, Bebeji, Bunkure, Doguwa, Garko, Gaya, Kibiya, Kiru, Sumaila, Roggo, Takai.

Meanwhile, Kano Municipal should retain its status as State Capital, with the following communities as component parts: Munjibir, Dala, Dawakin Kudu, Fagge, Garun Malam, Gezawa, Kano Municipal, Kumbotso, Kura, Madobi, Bagwai, Gabasawa, Karaye, Makoda, Tofa, Rano, Tundun Wada and Wudil. 

In the same North-west geopolitical zone, this writer is making a case for the creation of another state from Katsina, presently with 34 Local government councils.

The present arrangement that includes Katsina State, and Katsina as the state capital should be continue with the following communities as component parts: Batagarawa, Batsari, Baure, Bindawa, Dandume, Kaita, Kankara, Dutsin-ma, Jibia, Kafur and others.

Daura, a new state is recommended with the capital as Daura, with the listed communities as constituents: Charanchi, Dan Musa, Dutsi, Faskari, Funtua, Kurfi, Kusada, Mai’Aduwa, Ingawa, Kankia and Dan Musa.

In the South South, it does appear that there is general consensus for the creation of Anioma state equally to create balance and ensure equity and justice in the Niger Delta Region. This writer also joined the people of this geopolitical zone to clamor for the creation of the state.

In the North east geopolitical zone, any new creation exercise that does not acknowledge the population of Borno state, as well as vastness of the state in terms of landscape, as well as economic viability and more especially, historical antecedent-the glorious Bornu Empire, would be exercised in shambles.

It’s therefore compelling that an additional state should come from this state.

In the North central geopolitical zone, it’s incontestable that Niger state should produce an additional new state if objectivity, fairness and equity should prevail.

The state is economically viable, with tremendous vast land spreading 100 of kilometers, to the east, west, north and south. The proximity of the state to Federal Capital Territory, Abuja is also a significant factor that must count in its favour.

Finally, this writer indeed acknowledges the fact that, it’s the prerogative of the National Assembly to recommend to the president the number of states they’re convinced in their wisdom, should be created.

However, it also behooves them on the need to make the job of President Bola Tinubu simpler by recommending to his office the appropriate number of states that would practically assist the president to seamlessly accomplish his 7 Point Agenda in the months and, of course, post 2027 general elections.

This is a country already projecting a $1 trillion economy by the year 2030. This is a country whose population is been projected at 358 million population by the year 2050. This is a country that its economy has already been DIVERSIFIED ahead of projected years, with Tax revenue this year already hitting ₦22-23 trillion mark just after the 3rd quarter of year 2025. This is a country that World Bank and International communities are already projecting positive indices for, with respect to decline in inflationary trend, surge in external reserves on account of avalanche of economic reforms, surge in GDP growth, admirable international credit ratings and all positive economic fundamentals.

It’s also instructive to imagine the significant impact the on-going Lagos-Calabar coastal gigantic project would have on the Nigerian economy on completion, not to mention Sokoto-Badagry expressway.

No shade of about, if the bouquet of positivity in economic fundamentals on account of President Tinubu’s reforms, trickling in like torrents of rain, are anything to go by, Nigeria economy may likely surge positively, sooner than expected.

It therefore behooves on all of us, to institute political architecture and institutional framework to prepare ahead. Creating additional eight (8) states would surely be a key tool to ensure this.   

Ultimately, Nigeria has capacity to accommodate 44 states with her population of more than 240 million, and a mammoth current budget of about ₦54.9 trillion                                    

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB),

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.