The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, CHRICED, says the proposed creation of 31 new states will strangulate the Nigerian economy.
The centre said this in reaction to the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review’s proposal after receiving requests for the creation of 31 new states across Nigeria to improve regional representation.
If approved, the restructuring would increase the number of states in Nigeria from 36 to 67, surpassing the United States’ 50-state system.
While supporters believe this will enhance governance and resource distribution, critics warn of increased administrative costs and constitutional hurdles.
Ibrahim Zikirullahi, the Executive Director of CHRICED, therefore, said during a news conference in Abuja on Thursday that the proposal could have far-reaching implications on distribution of resources in the country.
According to him, the new states may lead to increased administrative cost and further strain the already limited resources of the federal and state governments.
He urged the lawmakers to focus on addressing the urgent economic and social issues facing the nation and be in touch with realities of the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
He said that the proposal needed to be halted, as it would exacerbate existing inequalities and create new challenges in governance.
Mr Zikirullahi called for civic participation and other community engagements that would ensure democracy remained vibrant in the country.
The proposed states are:
NORTH-CENTRAL
1. BENUE ALA STATE from the present Benue State.
2. OKUN STATE from the present Kogi State
3. OKURA STATE from the present Kogi State
4. CONFLUENCE STATE from the present Kogi State
5. APA-AGBA STATE from Benue South Senatorial District
6. APA STATE from the present Benue State.
7. A 37th state, namely FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA
NORTH-EAST
8. AMANA STATE from the present Adamawa State.
9. KATAGUM STATE from the present Bauchi State.
10. SAVANNAH STATE from the present Borno State.
11.MURI STATE from the present Taraba State.
NORTH-WEST
12.NEW KADUNA STATE and GURARA STATE from the present Kaduna State.
13. TIGA STATE from the present Kano State.
14. KAINJI STATE from the present Kebbi State.
15. GHARI STATE from the present Kano State
SOUTH-EAST
16. ETITI STATE as the sixth (6th) state in the South East geopolitical zone.
17. ADADA STATE from the present Enugu State of Nigeria.
18. URASHI STATE as the sixth (6th) state in the South East geopolitical zone.
19. ORLU STATE from the South Eastern Region of Nigeria.
20. ABA STATE from the South Eastern Region of Nigeria.
SOUTH-SOUTH
21. OGOJA STATE from the present Cross River State.
22. WARRI STATE from the present Delta State.
23. BORI STATE from the present Rivers State
24. OBOLO STATE from the present Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.
SOUTH-WEST
25. TORU-EBE STATE from the present Delta, Edo, and Ondo States.
26. IBADAN STATE from the present Oyo State.
27. LAGOON STATE from the present Lagos State.
28. IJEBU STATE from the present Ogun State.
29. LAGOON STATE from the present Lagos State and Ogun State
30. IBADAN STATE from the present Oyo State.
31. OKE-OGUN and IFE-IJESHA STATES from the Present-day Ogun,
Oyo, and Osun states.
