Tony Ezimakor
Former Director General of Voice of Nigeria, VON, Osita Okechukwu has welcomed the agitation for the creation of more states describing it paradoxically as a vote of national unity and an enduring desire for the all ethnic nationalities to remain within in the entity called Nigeria.
He however noted that it is a distraction regretting that agitations has not been met with sustained development of the the rural communities which ordinarily is reason for the creation of more states.
Speaking against the backdrop of recent call for creation of additional 30 states by interest groups, Okechukwu said the development is a good omen for national unity
“Regrettably none of the populists. (agitators) had developed their enclave, hence the cry of marginalization after creation of 2 in 1914, 3 in 1946, 4 in 1963, 12 in 1967, 19 in 1976, 21 in 1987, 30 in 1991, and 36 in 1996”.
It could be recalled that House of Representatives penultimate week received proposals for creation of 30 new states; that would mean 67 states if approved.
Recall also that the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Benjamin Kalu had pointed out that the agitators for new states have not met the requisite conditions, stating that :
“As we speak, none of these 30 proposals have met the requirements of Section 8, and that was why we decided to bring it to the notice of Nigerians that your application before us is ineffective.”
Rather than continue on what he. terms ‘chauvinistic and nepotistic’ trip Okechukwu observed that “Nigerians are more comfortable with good governance of the nation” and urged the agitators to support the President Ahmed Tinubu administration’s effort to strengthen good governance at zonal and local government levels.
“Luckily President Bola Tinubu had graciously and patriotically via alternative constitutional avenues answered the prayers of national unity advocates by granting financial autonomy to local government areas and creation of South East, North East, South West, North West, South South and North Central Development Commissions.
“The challenge is all hands to be on deck in monitoring the prudent management of local government funds and also monitoring the Development Commissions.
“It is my considered view that grassroots development is the fastest route to Nigeria’s resurgence, not creation of states nor regions.
“And we can only deepen democracy and guarantee economic justice when we collectively prevent snakes from swallowing the huge funds to be allocated to local governments and development commissions”
