Agitations for states creation have been a recurring decimal since the first states were created by the then military regime of General Yakubu Gowon ,Retd, when 12 states were decreed in 1967.
The pre-independence structure inherited from the colonial remnants before the country’s independence in 1960 was a three regional structure made up of the Northern Region, Western Region and the Eastern Region.
Nigeria’s journey from a colonial vestige with three regions to a federation of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, was shaped by political, economic, and social factors with a view to bringing governance to the ‘door step’ of the people.
It would be recalled that the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional review recently revealed that it received proposals for the creation of 31 new states. If the proposals are approved, states in Nigeria will move from 36 to 67.
However, the House has not foreclosed the possibility of getting more demands. This is so because it has again opened the doors for more demands, saying it has not closed receiving memoranda for states creation.
It would be recalled that a forth region, the Mid-Western Region was carved out of the Western Region in 1963, thus signaling the commencement of agitations for states creation that would follow later.
The Mid-Western Region was carved out of the Western Region on August 9, 1963, making Nigeria a four-region country:
This was the only region created during Nigeria’s First Republic ,1960–1966.
Following Nigeria’s first and second military coups in 1966 and rising ethnic tensions, Gowon abolished the regional system and introduced 12 states on May 27, 1967.
In an effort to further decentralise power and promote national unity, the General Murtala Muhammed ,Retd, regime created seven additional states on February 3, 1976, bringing the total to 19 states.
Under the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, two more states were created on September 23, 1987 bringing the number 21.
Yet, on August 27, 1991, Babangida increased the number of states to 30.
The last state creation exercise was done under late General Sani Abacha ,Retd, regime on October 1, 1996, when six more states were added, bringing the total to 36.
Besides, the inherited colonial entities of three regions, the present day 36 states and the FCT structure was the creation of various military regimes.
While state creation has indeed brought governance closer to the people, it has also contributed to economic dependency on the Federal Government as most of the states are not viable economically.
Also, it is pertinent state that the National Assembly keeps receiving proposals for states creation it should have the nation’s interest uppermost as regards agitations for more states.
We know the process for states creation is in its first step of the exercise but this step is crucial as it would dictate the next phase.
Therefore, creation of states must conform to constitutional provisions and remain within the ambit of what is fair and rational.
