Nigeria Doesn’t Need More States – Gov Otti
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has declared that Nigeria does not need more states, insisting that most existing ones are not economically viable.
Speaking at the Constitution Review meeting for Imo and Abia States in Owerri, Otti maintained that instead of creating new states across the country, efforts should be directed towards strengthening existing ones.
However, the Governor supported the creation of one more state in the South-East to bring the region on par with others, as it currently has only five states.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti said, “The attention of the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has been drawn to a mischievous and diversionary post being widely circulated in the media, giving the false impression that Governor Otti is opposed to the creation of additional States in the South-East.
“Governor Otti’s position over the years on the creation of additional states in Nigeria hasn’t changed and will not change. His position is that the country doesn’t require additional States, especially when most of the already existing states lack the viability for economic self-sustainability. In his seminal works over the years, he had advocated a six-regional structure for the country, which would support his advocacy for reducing the cost of governance.
“However, Governor Otti maintains that since at the moment one geopolitical zone in the North has as much as seven states, while others have six each, except the South-East, which has five, there could be an additional state for the South-East to balance the disequilibrium, but not the creation of new states across the six geopolitical zones.”
He added, “It’s important to state that Governor Otti is not a man who is easily swayed to the wrong side of the pendulum when a critical issue that requires deep thinking driven by altruism is on the table.
“The M.I. Okparas and Sam Mbakwes of this world did not wait for the creation of tiny enclaves called states before making the generational impacts they made in their zones as public office holders. They governed a region and a state, respectively, that were massive both in landmass and population, and yet achieved development and created prosperity that are still being referenced today.”
Otti warned that creating new states when the foundation for economic stability of existing ones is lacking would deepen national division.
“Creating additional states in Nigeria when the economic super-structure that should sustain the already existing but troubled ones hasn’t been laid is akin to intentionally laying the foundation for further division and dichotomy that could impact our body polity negatively, especially at a time we should be saddled with the responsibility of trying to navigate through our economic challenges as a nation,” he said.
He urged stakeholders in the constitution review process to avoid selfish interests and prioritise the long-term welfare of Nigerians.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
