Shehu Sani, a former senator from Kaduna Central, has denounced the idea of adding 31 more states to Nigeria’s current 36, calling it both ludicrous and humorous.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas was not present during Thursday’s plenary, so Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu read the proposal from the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee.
These states are: FCT State; Amana from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi; Savannah from Borno; Muri from Taraba; New Kaduna and Gujarat from Kaduna State; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi; Etiti and Orashi as the sixth states in the South-East; Adada from Enugu; Orlu and Aba; and Okun, Okura, and Confluence from Kogi.
Others include Ogun, Ijebu, and Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo/Ogun/Osun States; Ogoja from Cross River; Warri from Delta; Ori and Obolo from Rivers; Torumbe from Ondo; Ibadan from Oyo; and Lagoon from Lagos.
Sani responded to the decision on Friday on his X page, claiming that many states now in existence depend significantly on federal funding to be viable.
He charged that instead of tackling the nation’s economic problems, officials were trying to establish “mini colonies” for their own benefit.
The House of Representatives’ proposal for 31 states is humorous and hilarious, even though many states rely on federal funding to survive.
He stated, “Politicians only want to create little colonies for themselves.”