Some advocacy groups from Nigeria’s Northeast region have renewed their passionate call for the creation of four additional states — Savannah, Amana, Katagum, and Muri — during a public hearing on the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.
The proposal by the Northeast was formally presented on Friday at the opening session of a two-day zonal public hearing held in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Ahmad Sajor, Director of Media and Publicity for the Amana State Movement, stated that the push for the creation of Amana State — to be carved out of parts of Adamawa and Uba Chiefdom in Borno — is motivated by a strong desire to address what he described as a historic imbalance and ensure more equitable representation and development. “historical injustice.”
He cited the UN-supervised plebiscite held on February 11, 1961, which led the region to voluntarily join Nigeria. According to him, the leaders of that era — including the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello — had pledged a distinct status for the area, with Mubi envisioned to be treated equally with other state capitals such as Kano and Ilorin.
“Regrettably, those promises were never fulfilled by the Nigerian state,” Sajor remarked, framing the renewed push as an effort to reclaim long-denied recognition and autonomy.
Similar demands were echoed by advocacy groups calling for the creation of Katagum State from Bauchi, Muri State from Taraba, and Savannah State from Borno.
Supporters of the Northeast at the public hearing were visibly active, donning custom-printed shirts and holding placards urging the National Assembly to act on their requests.
A member of the Katagum movement of the Northeast, who spoke anonymously, said: “Our demands are not much. We want Katagum State. We believe in the current assembly and we are certain that after reviewing our request, they will grant us our wish.”
The hearing attracted several prominent figures from across the region, including Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur (who represented the governor), legislators from Borno’s three senatorial districts, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi, and the Shehu of Borno, among other notable dignitaries.
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