Ex-Nigerian Ambassador Condemns Proposal for 31 New States
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Kuwait, Senator Haruna Garba, has criticized the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee’s proposal to create 31 additional states, calling it “unbelievable” and unnecessary.
The proposal, presented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu during Thursday’s plenary session, has drawn sharp criticism from Nigerians, political analysts, and socio-political groups. Many question its feasibility, given Nigeria’s current economic situation.
In an interview with Punch, Garba, who represented Gombe North in the Senate, dismissed the idea as excessive and impractical.
“How can you propose 31 more states? That’s unrealistic. Where will the resources come from? If anything, each zone should get one more state, bringing the total to 42. But 67? That’s absurd,” he said.
Similarly, former Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, who represented Ondo South from 2019 to 2023, described the proposal as a wasteful endeavor. He believes lawmakers should prioritize strengthening local governments rather than adding more states.
Tofowomo argued that many existing states struggle financially and rely heavily on federal allocations.
“The real issue is state viability. Most states can’t sustain themselves, yet we’re discussing creating more? The focus should be on empowering local governments and ensuring they deliver essential services,” he stated.
Nigeria currently has 774 local government areas, many of which lack the necessary infrastructure for development. Tofowomo emphasized that improving these structures, particularly in agriculture, would have a greater impact on economic growth.
“Strengthening local governments is the way forward. More responsibilities should be given to them, especially in agriculture, to drive economic progress,” he added.
The debate on state creation continues, but many believe Nigeria should focus on governance reforms and economic sustainability rather than expanding its administrative divisions.
Key Points:
- Senator Haruna Garba calls the proposal for 31 new states unrealistic.
- He suggests a more practical approach—one new state per zone.
- Ex-Senator Nicholas Tofowomo believes Nigeria should focus on strengthening local governments.
- Many states are financially dependent on federal allocations.
- Improving local government structures, particularly in agriculture, could drive economic growth.
