Prominent Nigerian lawyers have strongly criticized the House of Representatives’ recent proposal to create 31 additional states, labeling it as impractical and a misuse of public resources. Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, former chairman of the Special Presidential Panel on Recovery of Public Property, and Justice Osai Ahiakwo, a public affairs analyst, have both voiced their objections.
Ahiakwo emphasized that the proposal does not address the immediate economic challenges Nigerians are facing. He expressed concern that the House’s Committee on Constitution Review is focusing on state creation at a time when citizens are grappling with severe economic hardships. He noted that the financial and procedural demands of creating new states are substantial and time-consuming, requiring a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate, House of Representatives, and state Houses of Assembly, followed by a referendum. Ahiakwo suggested that the funds allocated for this process could be better utilized to enhance agricultural mechanization, thereby providing employment opportunities for millions of unemployed youths.
Obono-Obla described the proposal as a “charade” that highlights Nigeria’s tendency to politicize critical decisions. He questioned the necessity of creating new states when existing ones are struggling to function effectively. Obono-Obla also pointed out the complex constitutional requirements for state creation, as outlined in Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, and expressed skepticism about the feasibility of navigating this rigorous process, especially given the governing elite’s historical difficulty in reaching consensus on fundamental issues.
The House of Representatives’ proposal includes the creation of new states across various regions, such as Okun, Okura, and Confluence from Kogi State; Benue Ala and Apa from Benue State; and Ibadan from Oyo State, among others.
