Former Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, has criticized the proposal for the creation of 31 additional states in Nigeria.
The proposal, presented on Thursday, February 6, by the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, was disclosed during a plenary session presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who read a letter outlining the suggested new states.
Reacting to the proposal on Friday, February 7, via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Senator Sani described it as “ironic and comical,” questioning the rationale behind the plan, especially given the financial challenges faced by many existing states, which largely depend on federal allocations to survive.
“While many states are dependent on federal allocation for their survival, the House of Representatives’ proposal for 31 states is ironic and comical. Politicians just want to carve out mini colonies for themselves,” Sani stated.
If the proposal is approved, Nigeria’s total number of states would increase from 36 to 67.
The list of proposed states includes the following:
North-Central:
- Benue Ala State (from Benue State)
- Okun State (from Kogi State)
- Okura State (from Kogi State)
- Confluence State (from Kogi State)
- Apa-Agba State (from Benue South Senatorial District)
- Apa State (from Benue State)
- Federal Capital Territory (as a 37th state)
North-East:
- Amana State (from Adamawa State)
- Katagum State (from Bauchi State)
- Savannah State (from Borno State)
- Muri State (from Taraba State)
North-West:
- New Kaduna State and Gurara State (from Kaduna State)
- Tiga State (from Kano State)
- Kainji State (from Kebbi State)
- Ghari State (from Kano State)
South-East:
- Etiti State (as the sixth state in the zone)
- Adada State (from Enugu State)
- Urashi State (as the sixth state in the zone)
- Orlu State (from the region)
- Aba State (from the region)
South-South:
- Ogoja State (from Cross River State)
- Warri State (from Delta State)
- Bori State (from Rivers State)
- Obolo State (from Rivers and Akwa Ibom States)
South-West:
- Toru-Ebe State (from Delta, Edo, and Ondo States)
- Ibadan State (from Oyo State)
- Lagoon State (from Lagos State)
- Ijebu State (from Ogun State)
- Ife-Ijesha State (from Oyo State)
- Oke-Ogun State (from Ogun, Oyo, and Osun States)
The proposal has sparked mixed reactions, with many Nigerians questioning the feasibility and motives behind creating additional states amidst ongoing financial and governance challenges in the existing ones.
