Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has condemned the proposed creation of 31 additional states beyond Nigeria’s existing 36, describing it as both ironic and comical.
The House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee put forward the proposal, which was read during Thursday’s plenary by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, in the absence of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The states being considered include Okun, Okura and Confluence from Kogi; Benue Ala and Apa from Benue; FCT State; Amana from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi; Savannah from Borno; Muri from Taraba; New Kaduna and Gujarat from Kaduna State; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi; Etiti and Orashi as the sixth states in the South-East; Adada from Enugu; and Orlu and Aba.
Others are Ogoja from Cross River, Warri from Delta, Ori and Obolo from Rivers, Torumbe from Ondo, Ibadan from Oyo, Lagoon from Lagos, and Ogun, Ijebu from Ogun, and Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo/Ogun/Osun States.
Reacting via his X page on Friday, Sani criticised the move, arguing that many existing states rely heavily on federal allocations for survival. He accused politicians of attempting to carve out “mini colonies” for personal gain rather than addressing the country’s economic challenges.
“While many states are dependent on federal allocation for their survival, the House of Representatives proposal for 31 states is ironic and comical. Politicians just want to cave out mini colonies for themselves,” he wrote.
Credit: Vanguard News Nigeria