Encomium
The creation of 18 additional states proposed at the ongoing National Confab has been generating mixed reactions among Nigerians, home and abroad. Some Nigerians ENCOMIUM Weekly spoke to on the issue also came with divergent views.
‘No region should get more than two additional states’
I give my support to the creation of Adada State and Aba State for the east. We need a state that will not rely on oil. If the stone age could come to an end, the oil age will also come to an end. States have to find other means to generate revenue to fund development projects. It is high time Ndiigbo started heading in that direction.
Imo and Anambra as states, have a lot of work doing, with construction of roads and railway network for internal transport. No region should get more than two additional states.
– OCHULOR STANLEY
‘We have a truck load of all these. We don’t need more’
Is this all they can come up with? This CONFAB has been bringing up controversy after controversy.
This will lead to more states, more politicians, more allocations, more embezzlements, more tribal disparity, more division under ethnic lines.
We have a truck load of all these. We don’t need more.
– DEBORAH ADEJOLE
‘I don’t support it’
With this recommendation, it would mean 36 states already plus 18. Which results to 54 governors? That means more sirens, more House of Reps members and more senators. They are adding about 50 percent to our already bogus administrative cost!
Six more states in the South and northerns are getting 12 more states, is there any sense in this? Yoruba get 2 and Igbo get two, funding more jeeps and more looters. I don’t support it.
– ALBERT MICHAEL
‘We don’t need new states, because we don’t have enough money to sustain them’
We don’t need new states, because we don’t have enough money to sustain them. The existing states are too dependent on the Federal Government. I am yet to see a state governor develop an industrial economy.
Instead of creating new ones, let the old states develop a plan that will lead to them not being too reliant on oil money in five years. The Federal Government can help by deducting 30 percent of the allocation to states, and spending it on power supply. That, I think, is a better idea rather than creating 18 new drains.
– ISINWA DESTINY
‘With 36 states, we are still not together as a nation…’
Useless, visionless, brainless people leading our country. They should convert all LGA areas to states. With 36 states, we are still not together as a nation, then they want to create more.
To achieve what? The solution to Nigeria’s problem is regional government and leave the rest to the regions to map out their own development.
– CHIMA THANKGOD
The question is not that of creation, but resource control and our value system viz-a viz corruption.
– KESIENA RICHARD
‘If the creation of more states would bring back peace…’
To me, if the creation of more states would bring back peace, love and harmony in Nigeria, I think it’s okay.
– POPOOLA KEHINDE OLUWATOBI
‘I support creation of new states’
The proposed creation of additional eighteen states is a welcome development. I support it because the more the merrier. But the viability of the new states must be considered.
I however doubt if Jonathan can do this before leaving office if re-elected in 2015.
– BARISTER OKEZIE AGBARA
‘It’s justice to south east’
For us in the South East, the recommendation of the National Conference that an additional state should be created in our region is justice. In the same vein, I support the new states because their creation will ginger development in the areas.
– BARISTER IKOKWU ONUKWUE
‘We have a lot of issues that need serious attention’
I don’t thing creating of new states should be our priority now. We have a lot of issues that need serious attention. The Boko Haram is there, the Chibok girls are still being held, where they are currently is not known. I think that should be the least of the topics to be discusses at the Confab.
Also, one cannot rule out the need to create more states because we still have some states that are due for that but the most important thing is that there should be equity and fair play.
– MR. LATIN
‘Creating more states is Not important now’
The creation of 18 additional states shouldn’t be something important for now. I believe Nigeria is still facing a lot of challenging issues than state creation. I am not a politician, I can’t say much about the need for it. But if creating states is what will bring good governance, let it be and in good faith.
– GANIYAT OWOSENI
