On the creation of additional states Azuka Onwuka wrote: Will the South-East get an additional state as recommended by the National Conference committee on political restructuring? My answer is a capital NO. Why? Let us look at these facts first. California has a population of 38 million and a land mass of 403,931.96 sq kms (which is the same size as Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic combined together) but it is a US state. Wyoming has a population of 582,658 and is also a US state. According to the 2006 census, Kano and Lagos each has over 9 million population and are both Nigerian states, while Nasarawa has 1.8m and Bayelsa has 1.7 m and are also states. Still in the US: Texas has 26m, New York has 19m, Florida has 19m and are all states, while Dakota with two states (South Dakota 844,897; North Dakota 723,393), Alaska (735,132), Vermont (626,630) are also all states in spite of their comparative low populations. So it is clear that contrary to what some mischievous people say, states are not created according to population. If it were so, California would have about 50 states, and Kano and Lagos would each have about 5 states. It is doubtful if the full house of the National Conference will vote yes to an additional state (70%) for the South-East. But if they do, and it is subjected to a referendum or the 2/3 of National and State Assemblies, the Nigerians I too well will NEVER approve it (ie 66.6%). The best the issue will get will be 50%. And it will die. The reason is not that it is not right, just or fair to give an additional state to the South-East. The reason is that the Nigeria I have studied since the colonial days of the 1940s or so has NEVER judged political issues based on justice or equity, but based on three points: (1)self interest (2) ethnic interest (3) religious interest. It is only when these three are not threatened that justice or equity will be considered. So the Igbos should stop deceiving themselves that a state will be created in the South-East or that Anioma will be carved out of Delta. It will NOT happen now, except by military fiat, and the military will not rule this country again except they will be prefer to rule a country in total chaos. The best option for the South-East is to refuse to be deceived by an additional state and join hands with those with similar views to insist on having a true federation in which each state will be allowed to take care of many of its affairs. The first option is to ask that the 6 current zones be treated as the federating units, while the zones are free to create as many states or regions as they like. If that does not fly, then the second option is to insist that all the zones MUST have the same number of states. Since the North West already has 7 states, then all other zones should be upgraded to 7 states. If these two options are not accepted, then let each state be allowed to use its resources to take care of itself.
Posted on: Sat, 03 May 2014 10:48:08 +0000
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