By: Bayero Ade
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, and several Nigerians have criticized the House of Representatives’ proposal to create 31 new states, calling it “ironic and comical.”
According to Peoples Gazette, The proposal, which was unveiled during Thursday’s plenary session by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, was recommended by the House Committee on Constitution Review. It aims to carve out new states from existing ones, including Kogi, Benue, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Taraba, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Enugu, Rivers, Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, and others, as well as creating a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) state.
Reacting via his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, Shehu Sani accused politicians behind the proposal of attempting to “carve mini colonies for themselves,” despite many existing states struggling to survive on federal allocations. He noted that it was absurd to push for more states when the financial burden of running the current 36 states remains a challenge. His concerns were echoed by many Nigerians online, who slammed the proposal as wasteful and unnecessary.
Some critics questioned the logic behind the move, arguing that Nigeria, already struggling with governance and economic instability, does not need more states but rather a restructuring of its administrative system. Others described the proposal as a ploy by politicians to gain more control and access to public resources. Many suggested that instead of creating new states, the country should consider regional governance to drive integrated economic development, reduce administrative costs, and eliminate inefficiencies.
There were also sarcastic reactions, with some social media users mocking the idea by suggesting that if lawmakers were serious, they might as well create 31 new countries. Others argued that the focus should be on devolving power from the central government in Abuja to states and local governments rather than fragmenting the country further.
The proposal has sparked widespread debate, with many Nigerians calling for a more pragmatic approach to governance rather than what they see as an impractical expansion of the country’s political structure.
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