Creating More States Will Not Fix Southeast Problems, Says Agbakoba

Creating More States Will Not Fix Southeast Problems, Says Agbakoba....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has criticized the push for additional states in the South-East, asserting that it will not address the region’s underlying problems. Instead, he advocates for constitutional amendments or the establishment of a new constitution to restore regional governance…….. CONTINUE READING

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Agbakoba emphasized that the National Assembly should focus on broader structural reforms rather than creating more states. His comments come as the House of Representatives has advanced a bill for the creation of Etiti State from parts of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

Proponents of the bill, including Godwin Ogah, argue that establishing Etiti State is essential for balanced regional development and effective governance, reflecting the aspirations of the local populace.

In addition, there are ongoing calls for the creation of Anioma State from territories in the South-South and South-East, with Senator Ned Nwoko highlighting it as a means to address perceived marginalization.

Agbakoba, however, contends that while many in the South-East may support additional states for emotional and financial reasons, this approach does not ensure true development. He pointed out that the focus on state creation is often linked to federal revenue allocations, which can foster a misguided sense of urgency.

He stated, “Creating another state will not resolve issues like hunger, insecurity, and unemployment. We need to shift from state creation to a regional governance model.”

Agbakoba also noted that many existing states are economically unviable and unable to foster infrastructure development or pay living wages. He warned that adding more states would increase the number of lawmakers and further escalate governance costs, which is untenable in the current economic climate.

He called for a return to regional governance, suggesting a consolidation of the 36 states into six to eight regions, each with its own leadership. This, he argues, would require a fundamental overhaul of the 1999 Constitution to address Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.

Agbakoba recalled the successes of historical regional governance figures like Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Michael Okpara, emphasizing that since Nigeria transitioned away from this model, most states have struggled to remain viable, with only Lagos and Rivers showing significant economic resilience.