In a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, criticized the push for additional states in the South-East, arguing that it would not address the region’s challenges effectively.
Agbakoba suggested that rather than creating more states, the National Assembly should consider amending or completely rewriting the constitution to reintroduce regional governments.
He emphasized that this approach could better address the developmental needs of Nigeria.
His comments come in response to the House of Representatives’ recent advancement of a bill proposing the creation of Etiti State from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states in the South-East.
The bill’s sponsors argue that it would promote balanced regional development and governance efficiency.
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In contrast, Agbakoba cautioned that increasing the number of states might not lead to significant development.
He pointed out that many of Nigeria’s current states are economically unstable and incapable of fostering infrastructure development or meeting financial obligations like minimum wage payments.
“Creating more states amidst our current economic challenges could escalate the cost of governance,” Agbakoba stated. “Instead, we should consider a return to regionalism by consolidating the existing 36 states into six to eight geopolitical zones, each with its leadership structure.”
He stressed the need for constitutional reform, noting that Nigeria’s political landscape has evolved, necessitating a new framework to address contemporary issues effectively.
Agbakoba’s viewpoint underscores ongoing debates about Nigeria’s governance structure and the balance between state creation and sustainable development strategies.
