Why Creating More States Won’t Solve South-East Problems – Dr. Olisa Agbakoba

In a recent interview, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, a prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, has dismissed the clamor for additional states in the South-East region as ineffective in addressing its challenges.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, Agbakoba argued against the proposed creation of Etiti State from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states. He emphasized that merely increasing the number of states would not resolve the region’s fundamental issues.

Agbakoba advocated instead for a constitutional amendment or a completely new constitution reintroducing regional governments. He expressed skepticism that adding more states would lead to meaningful development, citing the economic insolvency of many existing states and their inability to foster infrastructure or economic growth.

“Creating a new state may appease some sentiments,” Agbakoba said, “but it won’t alleviate hunger, insecurity, poverty, and unemployment.”

He further criticized the potential financial implications of state creation amidst Nigeria’s current economic challenges, highlighting the increased cost of governance that additional states would entail.

Agbakoba proposed a return to the regional system of government, which he argued had previously proven successful under leaders like Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Ahmadu Bello. He suggested restructuring Nigeria into fewer regional or geopolitical zones, each with its own administrative leadership, as a more viable path forward.

Agbakoba’s stance aligns with ongoing debates in the National Assembly, where lawmakers have been considering various bills for new state creation. His call for constitutional reform underscores growing sentiments for restructuring Nigeria’s governance framework amidst contemporary socio-economic and political realities.