Renowned constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, CON, OFR, has strongly criticized the recent proposal by the National Assembly (NASS) to create 31 additional states in Nigeria. Describing the move as “wasteful” and “ill-timed,” Prof. Ozekhome expressed deep concern over the proposal, stating that it disregards the pressing challenges facing the nation.
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In a statement issued on Saturday, Prof. Ozekhome questioned the rationale behind the proposal, noting that Nigeria’s current 36-state structure is already overbloated, unwieldy, and unsustainable. He emphasized that over two-thirds of the existing states are unviable, surviving solely on monthly federal allocations under Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution.
“How can the National Assembly be contemplating the creation of 31 new states when the majority of the current states are unviable and dependent on federal handouts?” Prof. Ozekhome asked. “This proposal is nothing but a distraction from the critical issues plaguing our nation, such as hunger, poverty, and insecurity. It is akin to chasing butterflies while the house is on fire.”
Prof. Ozekhome further argued that the stringent requirements outlined in Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution for creating new states should not be wasted on what he described as a “meaningless exercise.” He stressed that Nigeria’s priority should be addressing the inherent injustices in its federal system and fostering national unity through equitable and people-driven reforms.
According to him, Nigeria needs only two fundamental changes to correct its flawed federal structure:
- The creation of one additional state in the South-East geopolitical zone to ensure regional equity and balance.
- A brand-new, autochthonous Constitution that is legitimate, credible, and referendum-compliant, designed to address the nation’s deep fault lines and imbalances.
“The current constitution has failed to address the lopsidedness of our federation, which has rendered some states mere vassals, consuming the national cake without contributing to its baking,” Prof. Ozekhome stated. “What we need is a constitution that reflects the aspirations of the people and promotes true federalism.”
Prof. Ozekhome called on the National Assembly to immediately drop the proposal, describing it as “provocative, frivolous, and an insult to the collective intelligence of Nigerians.” He urged lawmakers to focus on addressing the nation’s pressing challenges rather than engaging in what he termed “a wasteful and divisive venture.”
“The NASS must realize that enough is enough. Nigerians are suffering, and this proposal only adds salt to their wounds. It is time to prioritize the needs of the people and work towards building a nation that works for all,” he concluded.
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