The creation of states in Nigeria is purely based on politics. This is because since state creation began in Nigeria shortly before the Civil War in 1967, those states were created to whittle dam the influence of the military governors in the regions.When the chips are down, these states cannot stand the test of time and there are still clamours for more to be created. Because they are not viable economically. Another round of states were created in 1976, 1987, 1991 and 1996 by the successive military administrations. Even United States has 50 states with almost 10 million square kilometres while Nigeria with paltry 920 kilometres square has 36 states.If regionalism is still in existence, there would have been a remarkable development in Nigeria. This is because in the good old days of regional government, there was fierce rivalry among the premiers. Universities were built in Ife, Zaria and Nsukka. There were television stations in Ibadan, Kaduna and Enugu. There were hotels in Ibadan (Premier), Enugu (Presidential) and Kaduna (Durbar). Stadia were also built in Ibadan (Liberty), Kaduna and Enugu. Moreover, there was cocoa house in Ibadan. These were achieved because the premiers then were not selfish as we have today among the politicians. Then the northern regional government relied on groundnut and cotton while the Western regional government banked on cocoa and kolanut for its earning and the Eastern regional government used palm-oil, rubber production as their economic tools. Then the premiers were up to the task but now, most of these governors embark on white elephant projects which add no value to the governed. The present day governors are supporting the President to scrap the petrol subsidy in order to provide more money for them to be looted while the ones at their disposal cannot be accounted for. These people live flamboyant lifestyles and most of them had nothing or little before they became governors and they became stupendous millionaires in a jiffy. Large chunk of the allocation is being spent as security votes. They render the local government authorities useless by not giving them their dues accordingly. The only avenue to generate income is just to impose multiple taxes on already impoverished populace instead of investing on profitable business that will start generating income to the states' coffers. In those days, there were many government-owned farms but now, they encourage importation of staple food through their cronies and godfathers. Most of these governors make their various states to be indebted to others through lack of focus and their licentious lifestyles. They are also asking for States Police in order to send their political rivals /adversaries into political oblivion.The onus is now on the National Assembly to amend the Constitution and scrap the insolvent states for more viable regions for the growth of the nation at large.Adebayo KayodeAHE Airport RoadAbujasammyking@email.com
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