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NDI-ABAT Urges Tinubu to Create New States, Calls for Southeast Equity
A pro-government Igbo coalition, the NDIGBO FOR TINUBU 2027 FORUM (NDI-ABAT), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to initiate the creation of new states, urging him to become the first civilian leader in Nigeria’s history to take such a step.
In a statement released on Thursday, the group appealed to the President to “break the long-standing jinx” by approving an additional state for the Southeast, which currently has only five states fewer than other geopolitical zones in the country.
The statement, signed by the group’s National Coordinator, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and Secretary General, Ugwuoke Ugwuoke Jr., argued that state creation in Nigeria has historically been carried out only under military regimes.
According to the group, Nigeria’s state structure evolved through a series of military decrees, beginning in 1967 when then Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, created 12 states. This was followed by the creation of seven additional states in 1976 under Murtala Mohammed.
Further expansions occurred during the military administration of Ibrahim Babangida, who created two states in 1987 and nine more in 1991, bringing the total to 30. In 1996, Sani Abacha added six more states, resulting in the current 36-state structure.
NDI-ABAT alleged that the distribution of states over the years has favored Northern Nigeria, claiming that 19 states were created in the North compared to 17 in the South. The group said this imbalance has had lasting political implications.
“To address this disparity and promote equity, fairness, and national unity, President Tinubu should consider the creation of two additional states in the South,” the statement read.
The group specifically proposed the creation of Aba State an idea that has been advocated since 1982 or Anioma State, which would be carved out of present day Delta State, to give the Southeast a sixth state. It also suggested the creation of Ijebu State in the Southwest.
NDI-ABAT maintained that such moves would bring the number of states in both the North and South to parity and strengthen Nigeria’s federal structure.
The group added that history would remember President Tinubu favorably if he undertakes what it described as a bold restructuring effort aimed at restoring balance and reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a leading nation in Africa.
READ FULL STATEMENT
NDI – ABAT TO TINUBU; BREAK THE JINX AND BE THE FIRST CIVILIAN PRESIDENT TO CREATE NEW STATES IN NIGERIA – ABA OR ANIOMA FOR SOUTHEAST!
The NDIGBO FOR TINUBU 2027 FORUM (NDI – ABAT), a coalition of pro – Tinubu Igbo organizations, hereby makes a clarion call to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is time for the President to demonstrate his righteous determination and political fortitude by utilizing his constitutional powers to break a long – standing political jinx.
He should give his executive approval and issue an order for the creation of an additional state for the Southeast zone. This zone is the only region in Nigeria with the fewest states; it currently has only five states, while other regions have six each, and the North – West region has the highest number, seven states.
NDI – ABAT deems it necessary to set the record straight for historical clarity. Since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, no civilian president has ever exercised the constitutional power to create a state. Only military juntas have done so. In 1967, former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, created 12 states. In 1976, an additional 7 states were created by then – Military Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed, bringing the total to 19 states. In 1987, former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, first created 2 states, increasing the number to 21, and then in 1991, he created 9 more, bringing the total to 30states. In 1996, former Military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, created 6 additional states, resulting in the current 36 states of Nigeria.
NDI – ABAT respectfully draws President Tinubu’s attention to the obvious discrepancies in state creation by former military heads of state between 1967 and 1996. The military leaders clearly favored the Northern part of Nigeria by creating 19 states for the North, while the Southern part got only 17 states. It is incumbent upon President Tinubu to use his presidential discretion and strong political will to rectify this imbalance. He should create two additional states for the Southern part of Nigeria to achieve equity, fairness, and equality.
Specifically, for the Southeast, the creation of either ABA STATE, which has been the subject of a state – creation movement since 1982, or ANIOMA STATE from the present – day Delta State would be a step towards making the Southeast have six states. Subsequently, the President could consider the creation of IJEBU STATE for the Southwest. These two new states for Southern Nigeria would bring the total number of states in both the North and the South to 19, thus correcting the structural imbalance and the political advantages the North has enjoyed for decades over the South.
NDI – ABAT firmly believes that posterity and history will look favorably upon President Tinubu if he acts as the courageous civilian president who judiciously uses his tenure to restructure Nigeria. This restructuring, in line with the aspirations of Nigerians, will enable Nigeria to regain its dignity and return to its golden, glorious era as the true giant of Africa and the most populous black nation on earth.
Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro
National Coordinator, NDI – ABAT
Dr Ugwuoke Ugwuoke Jr.
Secretary General, NDI – ABAT write as news
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