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53 years after Creating States: The Challenges
By Abbas Yushau Yusuf
On May 27 1967, the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon created 12 states out of the four regions, North, West, Midwest and East.
The creation of the states was viewed as a move to weaken the power of the regional governments who were hitherto threatening to scessed due to politics and regional sentiments .
General Gowon’s move to create states was also another intention to avert looming civil war, which may not be unconnected with the insurbodination of the Eastern regional governor, Lieutenant Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Former Head of state, General Yakubu Gowon.
But instead of preventing the civil war, the creation of states by General Yakubu Gowon aggravated the situation. Three days after, Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu replied on May 30 1967 and declared independent sovereign state of Biafra.
Former Head of state ,Late General Murtala Muhammad
After Nigeria’s independence in 1960 , agitations were rife over ethnic hegemony by dominant Nigerian tribes, the accusations mostly emanate from ethnic minorities and counter accusations.
Former Military President,Gen.Ibrahim Babangida.
Therefore creation of states by Gowon pleased some minorities in the defunct Northern and Eastern regions due to the diversity of tribes residing there.
But after Gowon’s creation of 12 state’s structure for Nigeria, have the agitations stopped? It’s capital NO, the call for the creation of more states in Nigeria has continued and had successive Nigerian governments to date heeded to the calls Nigeria would be having 100 states by now.
But the feat of creating states is only ascribed to military governments who can nail any uprising that may arise as a result of creation of states.
General’s that created states are Gowon,May 27 1967, General Murtala Muhammad February 3rd ,1976, General Ibrahim Babangida 1987 and 1991 and lastly General Sani Abacha 1st October 1996.
Former Head of state ,Late Gen. Sani Abacha.
From three regions to four regions to twelve states to nineteen states to twenty one to 30 and finally to 36.
Pundits said states were created to accelerate development but instead of that only three states out of thirty six can stand on their feet if federal government stops federal allocation.
Another expert idea said if the defunct regions of Nigeria were allowed to continue, even development will reach every where as the regions were then competing with each other in bringing development to their people.
For example Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first Premier of the West introduced free and compulsory education, other regions followed suit. West was the first region to establish a television station, the Western Nigerian Television and other regions started it.
It was said the regions are more knit, powerful and supported the federal government ,now it’s the states that are at the mercy of Nigeria’s powerful Federal government.