A Pragmatic Approach to State Creation in Nigeria: A Geo-Political Solution By: Steve Innocent Solomon (SIS)

 

Introduction

The debate about state creation in Nigeria has been ongoing for decades, with various regions and interest groups advocating for the creation of new states. While some argue that more states are needed to address issues of marginalization and underrepresentation, others contend that the current number of states is sufficient. In this article, we propose a pragmatic approach to state creation, one that balances the competing demands of different regions and geo-political zones.

The Current State of Affairs

Nigeria currently has 36 states, with some regions having more states than others. The North-West, North-East, and North-Central zones have 7, 6, and 6 states respectively, while the South-West, South-South, and South-East zones have 6, 6, and 5 states respectively. This imbalance has led to accusations of marginalization and underrepresentation, particularly from the South-East zone.

A Geo-Political Solution

To address these concerns, i propose that each geo-political zone be given one additional state, with the South-East zone receiving an extra state to address its historical marginalization. This would result in a total of 7 new states. Alternatively, if two additional states are given to each zone, with the South-East receiving an extra state, the total number of new states would be 13.

Benefits of This Approach

This approach has several benefits. Firstly, it addresses the issue of marginalization and underrepresentation, particularly in the South-East zone. Secondly, it provides a more equitable distribution of states across the different geo-political zones. Thirdly, it reduces the pressure for state creation, as each zone would have received a fair share of new states.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the creation of new states in Nigeria is a complex issue that requires a pragmatic approach. By giving each geo-political zone one or two additional states, with the South-East receiving an extra state, we can address the issues of marginalization and underrepresentation, while also providing a more equitable distribution of states. This approach is fair, reasonable, and in the best interest of the country.

Recommendations

I recommend that the National Assembly and the Federal Government consider this proposal and take the necessary steps to implement it. 

I also recommend that the process of state creation be transparent, inclusive, and guided by a clear set of criteria.

By working together, we can find a solution to the issue of state creation that is fair, equitable, and in the best interest of Nigeria.