Condemnation trails proposal for 31 new states

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has condemned the proposed creation of 31 new states.

CHRICED Executive Director, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, who addressed journalists yesterday in Abuja, said the move was a grand strategy for political deception and distraction.

Zikirullahi argued that the country lacked the financial wherewithal to fund the new states, as it is currently grappling with hyperinflation and other socio-economic challenges.

He said: “Recently, Nigerians were confronted with the unsettling news regarding the Federal House of Representatives Committee’s proposal to amend the 1999 Constitution by creating an additional 31 states across the six geopolitical zones of the nation.

“Should this proposal be ratified, it would increase the total number of states from the current 36 to 67. This initiative raises significant concerns regarding its rationale and the potential implications for the country as a whole.

“The proposal to increase the number of states comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with a multitude of pressing socio-economic challenges.

“The nation is currently experiencing hyperinflation, which has severely eroded the purchasing power of its citizens. The soaring unemployment rate has left millions without jobs, contributing to widespread poverty and social unrest.

“Additionally, the Naira’s diminishing value has made it increasingly difficult for families to afford basic necessities, while the notable decline in GDP per capita indicates a shrinking economy that is failing to provide adequate opportunities for its citizens. Furthermore, escalating insecurity has become a pervasive issue, with many Nigerians living in fear of violence and instability.

“In light of these challenges, it is particularly alarming that federal lawmakers have chosen to focus their efforts on increasing the number of states rather than addressing the urgent economic and social issues facing the nation.

“This decision raises questions about the priorities of those in power and whether they are truly in touch with the realities of the lives of ordinary Nigerians. The current economic climate has left many citizens struggling to make ends meet, and the government’s focus on state creation seems to divert attention from the pressing need for effective governance and policy reform.

“Moreover, the proposal to create additional states could have far-reaching implications for the distribution of resources and governance in Nigeria.

“The establishment of new states may lead to increased administrative costs and further strain the already limited financial resources of the federal and state governments.

“Instead of fostering development and addressing the root causes of the nation’s problems, this initiative could exacerbate existing inequalities and create new challenges in governance.”