The National Conference on Thursday adopted a recommendation of its Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government for the creation of 18 new states in the country, as well as for the rotation of the office of the president.
It specifically agreed that in the spirit of reconciliation, equity and justice, an additional state should be created for the South East zone, which currently has only five states.
If the Federal Government accepts the recommendation, the country will have 54 states with nine in each of the six zones.
The Conference also accepted the recommendation for the rotation of the presidency between the North and South and among the six geo-political zones while the governorship seat should be rotated among the senatorial districts in each state.
The Committee co-chaired by Ike Nwachukwu and Mohammed Kumalia had presented its report on Monday.
They said the subject of state creation had remained a huge political issue in Nigeria.
“The Committee examined the reports of the National Political Reform Conference and the report of the Presidential Committee on Review of outstanding issues from recent Constitutional Conferences 2012 (the Belgore Report) and after wide consultations and extensive deliberations and in the interest of equity, justices and fairness,” they added.
Some of the proposed states approved by the Confab are Apa from Benue State, kainji from Kebbi, Katagum from Bauchi, Savannah from Borno, Amana from Adamawa, Gurara from Kaduna, Ghari from Kano, Etiti from South East, Aba from Abia, Adada from Enugu and Njaba-Anim from Anambra and Imo.
The others are Anioma from Delta State, Orashi from Rivers State, Ogoja from Cross River State, IJebu from Ogun State and New Oyo State from the present Oyo State.
The Conference is to later determine the names of the remaining two other states and their capitals, which are to be created in the South-South and South West zones.
The Conference, however, noted that any new states to be created should be economically viable or potentially viable and should have human, natural and material resources. It also resolved that that a new state should have minimum population of one million persons.
It rejected an amendment that said the National Assembly by resolution passed by a simple majority or membership should approve the merger of states and that the merged states shall exist as a region.
The Conference agreed that there should principle of zoning and rotation of elective offices at the federal and state levels on the basis of excellence, equity, gender justice and fairness.
The Committee had recommended that the Electoral Act and the Constitution of Political Parties should provide Principle of zoning / rotation of elective offices at the federal and state levels on the basis of equity, justice and fairness
The Conference rejected a single term of six years and a unicameral legislature for the country.
The Conference accepted a recommendation that there should be quarterly question time for the President and question time for ministers at the legislature to enhance accountability.
Meanwhile, a Civil Society Organisation delegate, Femi Falana, opposed the adoption for the creation of 18 new states.
“Having regard to the several resolutions of the National Conference on the need to reduce the costs of governance, I found the recommendation for the creation of additional 18 states rather contradictory,” he told journalists after the plenary session.
The conference resolutions are not automatic laws and would only be submitted to the president, who could then propose them as bills to the National Assembly. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Make the six zones states and cut out join some bit to make like all Igbos in one state. More states equals more looters
ReplyDeleteArbitrary recommendations! Meaningless recommendations. Send these people home and stop wasting our time and money. Or, maybe create 500 states so that the money can be shared in 500 places. We don't know what we're doing, let's admit it.
ReplyDeleteIn all these,pple-oriented policies&d enforcements of all relevant recommendatns dat wil address mass unemployment,capital flight, illiteracy nd social vices led by corruption shud b tackled,else all dis is nothing bt anoda charade nd a waste of tax payers' money.May God help Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteState creation is not the problem of Nigeria. It is the problem of corruption, tribalism , Nepotism, indiscipline, impunity and lack of patriotism which has made all institution of government and governance weak. Major Gen. Tunde Idiagbon ,May his soul rest in peace saw all these problem and wanted to remedy it before it got to this level and the rest is history. Time will come in this country when people like Idiagbon will be remembered and revered for what he stood for in this country. Idiagbon will one day be officially made a national hero and icon.
ReplyDeleteWhere is Ibadan State?
ReplyDeletemore states, more division, more mediocrity based on quota system, more ministers, more corruptions, more glorified senior secondary school university etc
ReplyDeleteI am dissappointed they failed propose a 6 year single term for the country. The issue has become more critical whether GEJ is entitled by right to contest for the next election or not. The arguments against claim he will be in office for a total of 9 years if elected. Politicians have consistently are using this argument to polarize and overheat the nation; threatening a breakup of our nation in a north and south divide. Not to go into detail, if GEJ is not allowed to contest, it will mean the SS will only have had their slot for 6 year will the not will takeover and rule for 10 years in total. 6year term would reduce the cost of governance in all terms. It will also allow each region to propose a 36 year development plan each government will be required to consider. Adjustments can be made with agreement of the region concerned. It make government transparent with a wider spread of development across the country. Each region would pick and forward a proposal each year to put forward from her pot and the nation as whole would know and be able to monitor progress of development across the country. It will be good to look again.
ReplyDeleteState Creation will bring more problem and hatred to Nigerians. The solution to our problem as a country is true Federalism governance for six geopolitical zones. Those agitating for state creation without resource to boast state economy will still fall back to accuse the Federal Govt. for not providing funds to run the state. The truth of the matter is that Nigeria should be break into Six (6) countries to exist independently but every body in the confab is shying away from the truth. N/B sooner or later Oil and Gas in Niger Delta(S.S) will be a no go area for even Nigerians.-Do not say I told U.
ReplyDeleteThe Oil and Gas Bill before the National assembly have been Ignored allowing several Nigerians to Loom in their father land as slaves & casual workers picking crumbs that drops from the masters table while Millions are catted away by foreigners day after day A day is coming when every body will decide to carry gun targeting past and present Law makers in this country enough is enough..
This is disappointing news. So, basically, all they could come up with is the creation of new states? As if that is the solution to the problems we have...
ReplyDeleteWhere is Odudua state the yoruba in kwara want to leave the fulani from the north alone lets go our septate ways
ReplyDeleteI am so disappointed in this nonsense that these idiots just came up with. I agree completely with Anonymous July 4, 10:07 am. You are right on point. The creation of more states is a selfish endeavor to perpetuate the continuation of corruption and inept governance. The central government must be weaken and more power to the states that we currently have. Make it 6 distinct countries under one country. This will spark competition for success and desire to exploit options for better governance. The problem in my view is the North that will not let go the oil and gas money. We can not continue to force this unworkable marriage. Now we are talking of having more babies alas creation of more states. Wow! Old people with old ideas. I guess you can not teach old dogs (politicians) new tricks(good governance). We continue to postpone what is about to happen to that country. There will be force of action very soon. We can do it now in peace or wait to do it in pieces.
ReplyDeleteWill creation of states cub corruption?
ReplyDeleteIs dis the most important issue on ground?
ReplyDeleteI'm so disappointed why are choose Ghari in Kano, instant of tigar
ReplyDeleteI'm so disappointed why are choose Ghari in Kano, instant of tigar
ReplyDeleteCreation of more states can`t solve nigeria problem....what nigeria need is a pure philosophers
ReplyDeleteITS NOT BY CREATING MORE STATES THESE PEOPLE MAKING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD LOOK INTO THE NATIONS ECONOMY BEFORE SUCH DECISIONS, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ENSURE EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS IN THE 36 STATES NOW THEY WANT TO ADD MORE. THIS IS NONSENSE
ReplyDeleteCreated a new state is a very good ideal because nigeria we be benefiting from it,my reason that if nigeria created this 18 new state our resourses we increase and income will also increase by then nigeria we be one of the greatest country in the word.
ReplyDeleteI think their recommendations represent the interest of the voiceless Nigerians.
ReplyDelete