Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has criticized the push for creating additional states in the South-East, arguing it would not address the region’s issues. Instead, Agbakoba, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, advocates for amending the constitution or drafting a new one to revert Nigeria to regional governments.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, Agbakoba shared his perspective. This comes in light of the House of Representatives recently passing a bill for the second reading that seeks to create Etiti State from parts of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states in the South-East geopolitical zone. The bill is sponsored by Godwin Ogah, Miriam Onuoha, Kama Nkemkama, Princess Nnabuife, and Anayo Onwuegbu.
Ogah, representing Abia State, argued that establishing Etiti State is essential for balanced regional development and effective governance, aligning with the principles of equity and inclusivity in Nigeria’s democracy. Additionally, some lawmakers and stakeholders are advocating for the creation of Anioma State from regions in the South-South and South-East, with Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta North) emphasizing that it would address the marginalization of the South-East geopolitical zone.
However, Agbakoba believes that while many in the South-East might support the creation of an additional state, it would not ensure development. “This agitation arises because federal allocation is based on the number of states. The South-East feels they are losing revenue with only five states,” Agbakoba explained. “But even if a sixth state is created, it won’t address issues like hunger, insecurity, poverty, and unemployment. We need to shift from state creation to a regional system of government.”
He argued that most of the current 36 states are economically unviable and incapable of fostering infrastructural development or paying the proposed minimum wage. Creating new states would also increase the cost of governance, exacerbating the economic challenges facing the country.
Instead, Agbakoba suggests returning to a regional system by consolidating the 36 states into six to eight regions or geopolitical zones, each led by a regional leader. This would necessitate amending the 1999 Constitution or drafting a new one to reflect these changes.
Agbakoba highlighted that regional governments were once successful under leaders like Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the South-West, Chief Michael Okpara in the South-East, and Ahmadu Bello in the North. He noted that since Nigeria moved away from regionalism, only states like Lagos and Rivers have remained viable.