Stories by Bode Olagoke
Abuja
— Recommends merit for creating states
Members of the National Conference committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government, yesterday unanimously agreed that there was need for the South east region to be given one more state in the interest of justice and fair play.
General Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd) led committee also submitted that every other region agitating for the creation of more states should get it on the basis of merit.
Senator Femi Okurounmu while making his argument, said there should be creation of more states to meet growing demands, adding that there should be the same number of states in every zone in the spirit of fairness. He however warned delegates to be mindful in order to avoid the abuse of the process.
Another member of the committee, Hon. Binta Masy Garba, advocated for the creation of Amana state in the north. She also gave nod to the creation of an additional state in the South east in the spirit of fairness.
Chief Benjamin Elue from Delta state while supporting the call for the creation of an additional state in the South-East, begged delegates to consider the long agitation of Igbo-speaking people in his state who want their own state. He said Anioma state should be carved out of Delta state in the interest of justice.
Senator Ahmed Aruwa, made it clear that the committee cannot create a state but can make recommendations and create an enabling environment for those agitating for more states to have their way. He said the South east zone deserves an additional state based on merit.
Yinka Odumakin while making his presentation said states have become tenants to the federal government. He said states must have the capacity to look inward and create its own revenue base instead of becoming slaves to the federal government. He said the practice where governors come to Abuja at the end of every month to collect salaries must be discouraged.
Lawrence Agubuzu, a South east delegate suggested that every region should get an additional state. He however argued that in the new arrangement, his region should be given two states. He said the creation of additional states in the six geopolitical zones will create a better balance.
Mohammed Kumalia told the committee that in the interest of justice and fair play, the South east should be given an additional state. He said every other region agitating for more states must be given based on merit. He said this is needed in order to avoid abuse of the process.
A copy of the committee’s votes and proceedings obtained by Blueprint stated, “That without prejudice to states constituting the federating units, states that wish to merge may do so in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Addressing journalists after the committee adjoined its sitting to 10am on Monday, the chairman, General Nwachukwu said by supporting the creation of an additional state in the South-East, delegates have shown that everyone can have a win-win situation.
He said: “I must thank my committee members for their maturity and ability to discern the need for Nigeria to have more states based on merits by giving the South-East an additional state, thereby bringing at par with other zones. I want to indeed say to my colleagues that they have shown great understanding and they believe in a win-win option. That is the spirit we should maintain in this Conference.”
