Executive Director, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, Ibrahim Zikirullahi has said that the establishment of new states may lead to increased administrative costs and further strain the already limited financial resources of the Federal and State governments.
Zikirullahi spoke at a news conference in Abuja in response to the demand for the creation of additional 31 new states.
According to him, creating additional states will not only increase the size of government and the cost of governance, but will further put pressure on the federation account, thereby compounding the problems of those states which solely depend on allocation from it for their survival.
The activist said: “Recently, Nigerians were confronted with the unsettling news regarding the Federal House of Representatives Committee’s proposal to amend the 1999 Constitution by creating an additional 31 states across the six geopolitical zones of the nation. Should this proposal be ratified, it would increase the total number of states from the current 36 to 67. This initiative raises significant concerns regarding its rationale and the potential implications for the country as a whole.
“The proposal to increase the number of states comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with a multitude of pressing socio-economic challenges. The nation is currently experiencing hyperinflation, which has severely eroded the purchasing power of its citizens. The soaring unemployment rate has left millions without jobs, contributing to widespread poverty and social unrest. Additionally, the Naira’s diminishing value has made it increasingly difficult for families to afford basic necessities, while the notable decline in GDP per capita indicates a shrinking economy that is failing to provide adequate opportunities for its citizens. Furthermore, escalating insecurity has become a pervasive issue, with many Nigerians living in fear of violence and instability.
“In light of these challenges, it is particularly alarming that federal lawmakers have chosen to focus their efforts on increasing the number of states rather than addressing the urgent economic and social issues facing the nation. This decision raises questions about the priorities of those in power and whether they are truly in touch with the realities of the lives of ordinary Nigerians. The current economic climate has left many citizens struggling to make ends meet, and the government’s focus on state creation seems to divert attention from the pressing need for effective governance and policy reform.
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“Moreover, the proposal to create additional states could have far-reaching implications for the distribution of resources and governance in Nigeria. The establishment of new states may lead to increased administrative costs and further strain the already limited financial resources of the federal and state governments. Instead of fostering development and addressing the root causes of the nation’s problems, this initiative could exacerbate existing inequalities and create new challenges in governance.
“Lawmakers, who profess to represent the interests of the populace, appear to be disconnected from these pressing realities. Their focus on state creation, rather than on implementing policies that would alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, raises concerns about their commitment to the welfare of the people they serve. It is essential for elected officials to prioritize the needs of their constituents and work towards solutions that address the fundamental issues affecting the nation, rather than pursuing initiatives that may serve their political interests.
“At the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), we view the recent actions taken by the House of Representatives as yet another significant instance of grand deception and distraction that undermines the trust of the Nigerian populace. This initiative, which ostensibly aims to address the creation of new states, starkly reflects a troubling misallocation of priorities and a profound insensitivity to the myriad struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians. It is disheartening to witness elected officials, who are meant to represent the interests of their constituents, engaging in such tactics that seem more focused on political maneuvering than on genuine governance.”
He urged the lawmamers to prioritise a return to a regional system, which would involve utilizing the six geopolitical zones as federal entities. This approach would not only promote regional autonomy but also foster a sense of ownership and accountability among the local populations.
Zikirullahi added: “Accompanying this shift should be a comprehensive devolution of powers and resources from the central government to these regional entities. By empowering the regions, we can ensure that governance is more localized, allowing for policies and initiatives that are better tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of each area. This would also encourage healthy competition among the regions, driving innovation and development while reducing the over-reliance on federal allocations.
“This will take care of some of the economically unviable states, who merely baby feed from the federal purse. It is fact that most of the existing states can barely meet the basic obligation of paying workers’ salaries, talk more of providing infrastructure and key social services such as education and healthcare without waiting for allocation from the federation account. Creating additional states will not only increase the size of government and the cost of governance, but will further put pressure on the federation account, thereby compounding the problems of those states which solely depend on allocation from it for their survival.”