Originally Published By Vanguard
A Publication by the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination In Response to the Proposed Creation of 31 Additional States in Nigeria
We, the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination, categorically reject the latest move by Nigeria’s House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee to create thirty-one new states. While we acknowledge the imperative of addressing historical inequities in the Nigerian federation, we are compelled to assert that this sweeping proposal distracts from—and indeed undermines—our well-articulated and long-standing request for one additional state in the South-East region.
Our position on the demand for one more state in the South-East is both unambiguous and firmly rooted in equitable governance. The existing imbalance of having only five states in the South-East, compared to the six or seven states in other geopolitical zones, perpetuates a systemic marginalisation of our people. By every measure of fairness, justice, and representation, the South-East has been shortchanged for too long and requires immediate redress to ensure parity within the national political framework.
We harbour a deep-seated concern that the brazen scale of creating thirty-one new states is a stratagem designed to overshadow and ultimately derail the more focused and warranted aspiration of the South-East for a lone additional state. Indeed, it is not difficult to envisage a scenario wherein broad-based resistance emerges against this extensive proposal, thus leaving our modest and legitimate plea—one essential to correcting the glaring disparity in state allocation—conveniently sidelined.
Therefore, we call upon all representatives of the South-East in the National Assembly to remain vigilant and unwavering in the pursuit of these key demands:
1. Creation of an Additional State in the South-East! This singular step—far from an arbitrary desire—represents the indispensable correction of an enduring injustice. By equalising the number of states across all regions, Nigeria moves one step closer to the ideals of fairness, balance, and unity that are often professed but rarely practised.
2. We urgently require a new constitution that not only acknowledges past inequities but also institutes mechanisms to prevent them from recurring. A new constitutional framework is vital for healing the festering wounds of marginalisation and rectifying power imbalances that have relegated the South-East to an inferior and discriminated status reminiscent of apartheid structures.
3.Beyond state creation, Nigeria must embrace a system that grants robust autonomy to all its constituent regions. A regional or confederal structure would empower each zone to chart its developmental trajectory, safeguard local interests, and ensure that governance is more responsive to the unique cultural, economic, and political realities of each region.
The Igbo Nation, marked by its distinctive heritage and exceptional contributions to Nigerian development, remains committed to a united and peaceful country anchored in justice and fairness. Yet, we cannot disregard a maneuver that may subvert our legitimate quest for equilibrium under the guise of constitutional reforms. True national progress will elude us until every region is accorded its rightful place, and every community is provided with ample avenues for genuine representation.
We therefore urge all stakeholders—legislators, local and international observers, and the broader Nigerian populace—to see beyond the ostensible allure of creating dozens of states. We urge them to recognise the potential for misuse: an unwieldy plan likely to invite chaos and opposition, culminating in the abandonment of the single most pressing and legitimate need—to bring the South-East into alignment with other regions in the Nigerian political arrangement.
In closing, equality must be the bedrock upon which Nigeria was built. Any legislative overture that threatens to stifle the quest for an additional state in the South-East runs counter to this principle and stands in direct conflict with our aspirations for lasting unity. We therefore reiterate our call to the political representatives of the South-East: remain steadfast and unapologetic in demanding an extra state for our zone alongside a thoroughly overhauled constitutional document that would usher in a regional and/or confederal arrangement.
Uche Mefor is the Convenor, Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination
