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A former representative from Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, along with several Nigerians on social media, have labeled the proposal introduced by the House of Representatives to establish new states in the country as “ironic and comical.”
During Thursday’s plenary session, a letter from the House committee on constitution review was read by the deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, which suggested the creation of 31 new states to add to the existing ones.
The proposed new states include Okun, Okura, and Confluence from Kogi; Benue Ala and Apa from Benue; an FCT state; Amana from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi; Savannah from Borno; Muri from Taraba; New Kaduna and Gujarat from Kaduna state; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi; Etiti and Orashi as the 6th state in the South-East; Adada from Enugu, and Orlu and Aba from the South-East. Additionally, Ogoja from Cross River, Warri from Delta, Ori and Obolo from Rivers, Torumbe from Ondo, Ibadan from Oyo, Lagoon from Lagos, Ogun and Ijebu from Ogun state, as well as Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo/Ogun/Osun states were also included.
Responding to the proposal on his X handle on Friday, Sani termed it ironic and comical.
He accused the politicians advocating for the proposal of trying to “forge mini colonies for themselves,” asserting that many current states rely on federal allocations for their existence.
He remarked, “While numerous states depend on federal allocations for survival, the House of Representatives’ suggestion for 31 new states is both ironic and comical. Politicians merely want to create mini colonies for themselves.”
Many Nigerians on X also criticized the proposal as unnecessary, accusing lawmakers of seeking to further exploit the country's vast resources.
Kingsley Monday remarked, “Nigeria is bigger than the state of Texas! Don’t even think to compare Utah with Nigeria. It’s akin to contrasting a Suzuki minibus with Chisco or The Young Shall Grow luxury buses. I can only laugh. Our lawmakers are quite inventive.”
Ebere Anosike expressed, “Nigeria is simply one massive dysfunctional joke. What we require isn’t more states that can’t finance salaries with federal allocations, but regions that can foster their own integrated economic development. Personally, I believe we should dissolve the 36 states and 774 LGAs and establish six regional governments with the current 109 Senatorial Zones as grassroots units. This would significantly reduce waste from our bloated governance.”
Gene Worifah suggested, “Why not set up 31 more countries then? It’s as ridiculous as proposing that Africa should be divided into 5 distinct continents. It’s essential to decentralize power from the central government in Abuja to the states and local governments and to stop unnecessary fragmentation that leads nowhere.”
Laninister Aspiration stated, “It’s about time we call out these reckless and irrational politicians. The core issue isn’t the establishment of new states but the reallocation of power. Why do Nigerian politicians appear to lack even the most basic common sense?”
