Renewed call for more states sparks controversy.
The recent call for three more states in the South West by House of Representatives member Oluwole Oke re-ignites the state creation debate. Some argue against, citing lack of empirical evidence.
Others believe it would spur development. Additionally, there’s insistence on creating an extra state in the South East. Naijaeyes reports.
The recent call for three additional states in the South West by House of Representatives member Oluwole Oke re-ignites the state creation debate. Some argue against, citing lack of empirical evidence. Others believe it would spur development. Additionally, there’s insistence on creating an extra state in the South East.
Proponents argue it would ensure justice, equity, and fairness. They note the South East’s current disparity in state representation and federal allocation. The 2014 confab report is proposed as a solution to address concerns from all zones.
2014 National Conference during the Goodluck Jonathan presidency was to create additional 18 states;
The 2014 National Conference proposed creating 18 additional states, three for each zone, after adding one state to the South East. However, the report remained unimplemented during President Jonathan’s tenure and subsequent administrations.
Recently, the House of Representatives considered a bill sponsored by Mr. Oluwole Oke to create three more states in the South-West: Oke-Ogun, Ijebu, and Ife-Ijesa.
The proposed bill, titled ‘A Bill for an Act to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),’ aims to amend the First Schedule, Part I of the Constitution. It introduces new states and reduces the number of local government areas.
Ijebu State, if created, would encompass Ijebu East, Ijebu North East, Ijebu Ode, Ikenne, Odogbolu, Ogun Waterside, Remo North, and Sagamu Local Government Areas. Its proposed capital city is Ijebu Ode.
Oke-Ogun State, with Iseyin as the proposed capital, would include 12 local government areas: Olorunsogo, Irepo, Oorerelope, Ogbomosho North, Ogbomosho South, Saki-East, Saki-West, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, and Iseyin.
Additionally, Ife Ijesa State would consist of 11 local government areas: Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West, Boluwaduro, Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North, Ife South, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Oboku, and Oriade.
The bill, according to the lawmaker, was cited as “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Amendment Bill, 2024.).”
The bill, labeled “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Amendment Bill, 2024),” is the initiative of the lawmaker.
If approved, the South West would surpass the North-West, currently having seven states, the highest among other zones.
However, analysts predict legislative hurdles before creating a state.
The ongoing constitutional amendment aims to address such issues.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu aims to complete it by December 2025.
Legal analyst Innocent Anayo states that state creation requirements are complex in a constitutional amendment.
He highlights that Section 8 (1) of the constitution requires two-thirds majority support from Senate, House of Representatives, and local House of Assembly.
Since 1999, Nigeria hasn’t created any states despite sporadic calls.
Various groups nationwide have periodically agitated for state creation.
if approved would bring the number of states in the zone to nine, surpassing the North West with seven states, and still leaving the South East behind with five states, people from other zones would certainly not keep quiet.
The move for three additional states in the South West, potentially bringing the total to nine, triggers responses from other zones.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, emphasizes the South East’s historical marginalization.
He notes loss in representation, resources, and influence, advocating for at least one more state to address disparities.
There was no question about the designation of a terrorist organization or request for information about a terrorist organization in the last user message. Therefore, I will proceed with a response related to the previous message about state creation in Nigeria.
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