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Proposal for creation of 31 states demands critical examination, outright condemnation -DG, CCLCA, Dr Nwambu
…says zoning arrangements clearly favoured a section of Nigeria
By Emmanuel Agaji
The Director General of Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, CCLCA Dr Gabriel Nwambu has called for critical examination and outright condemnation of the move to create 31 additional states in Nigeria.
Dr Nwambu disclosed on Friday in a position paper entitled: ‘Position Paper: Condemnation of the Proposal for New State Creation in Nigeria’ declaring that:
“The recent proposals for the creation of 31 new states by the House of Representatives Committee warrant critical examination and, ultimately, outright condemnation.
“As Nigeria navigates through significant economic challenges, it is essential we approach governance reforms with an understanding of current realities.
“It is clear that the creation of additional states is not a viable solution to our nation’s pressing issues and, in fact, could exacerbate the situations we are working hard to overcome.
Current Viability of Existing States
“As it stands, Nigeria is currently composed of 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory. A disconcerting number of these states are not financially viable. Many states are unable to meet basic obligations, such as paying the minimum wage of ₦70,000.
He explained that: “The crux of the matter is that some states have reached a point of insolvency, making the idea of creating new states—a process that demands additional financial resources—even more untenable.
” Rather than resolving existing state-level inefficiencies, the introduction of new states would only compound financial burdens on an already strained federation.
Zoning and Geopolitical Implications
“The proposed new states raise critical concerns regarding zoning and geopolitical distribution, particularly highlighting an imbalance favoring northern regions.
“The potential increase in Local Government Areas in the North signifies not just a concentration of political resources but also increased financial allocations to that region. This further marginalizes regions like the South East, where the new proposals result in fewer states. Such an approach fails to foster national cohesion and equity among the disparate regions of Nigeria, risking further discord rather than unity.
Cost of Governance Concerns
“The timing of these proposals is troubling, especially as we engage in discussions aimed at reducing the cost of governance in Nigeria.
” The addition of 31 new states would inherently lead to an increase in legislative assemblies, senators, and representatives, thereby inflating the political structure rather than streamlining it. Rather than focusing on mechanisms to enhance governance efficiency, we would instead be entrenching a model that is financially unsustainable.
Imminent National Challenges
“Moreover, the pressing issues that Nigeria faces—ranging from rampant insecurity, widespread unemployment, inadequate healthcare, and dwindling infrastructure—demand our immediate attention and resources. At this pivotal moment, the creation of new states distracts from tackling these fundamental concerns.
” It is crucial to consider how we can strengthen existing governance structures, enhance service delivery, and ensure that government revenues transparently address the needs of our citizens, rather than atrophying under the weight of new state establishments.
Conclusion
“In conclusion, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness strongly condemns any proposals for the creation of new states in Nigeria.
“Such actions would not only worsen our current economic quagmire but would also lead to heightened regional disparities, escalating governance costs, and distract from the critical reforms and policies necessary to improve the lives of Nigerians across the country.
“We urge policymakers, opinion leaders, and the general public to prioritize pressing developmental needs over cosmetic political restructuring.
“The focus should remain on enhancing the efficiency and viability of existing states, tackling economic challenges head-on, and fostering true national unity. The call for new states is neither a panacea for our problems nor a justifiable use of national resources at this time.
“Thank you for considering this position paper. We hope it contributes to the necessary dialogue surrounding the governance challenges we face in Nigeria.
The bandits who kidnapped the Head of the Zamfara State Office of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, Alh. Bashir Aliyu Abara Gummi, are demanding an additional N44m ransom to release him after collecting N16m from his family.
Gummi was abducted in October 2024 along Funtua-Gusau Road while travelling to Abuja to represent the Zamfara State Government at a meeting.
The bandits opened fire at moving vehicles, k!lling two persons before kidnapping the coordinator and scores of other travellers.
It was gathered that his family managed to gather N16,000,000 ransom which the kidnappers accepted but refused to release him.
According to a source, they are now demanding a new ransom of N44,000,000, along with 10 motorcycles.
“We implore the State Government to take immediate action to save this important individual, as the kidnappers have set a deadline of Thursday, February 6, 2025, which was yesterday”, the family source added.
Meanwhile, the bandits have released a video of the victim, pleading for help.
A 4% charge has been placed on Free On-Board (FOB) value of imports by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
This was announced by the NCS spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Maiwada noted that the directive was in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.
“In line with the provisions of Section 18 (1) of NCSA 2023, the NCS is implementing a 4 per cent charge on the Free On-Board (FOB) value of imports.
“The FOB charge, which is calculated based on the value of imported goods, including cost of goods and transportation expenses incurred up to the port of loading, is essential to driving the effective operation of the service.
“Furthermore, the NCS acknowledges concerns raised by stakeholders over the sustained collection of 1 per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) fee.
“It is a regulatory charge imposed for funding Nigeria’s Destination Inspection Scheme alongside the 4 per cent FOB charge.
As a responsive government agency, the service wishes to assure the general public that extensive consultation is ongoing with the Federal Ministry of Finance to address all agitations raised by our esteemed stakeholders, “ he said.
He urged all stakeholders to comply with the directive, which was conceived after extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders and organisations.
“All stakeholders are urged to support this legally binding initiative.
“As the measures introduced in alignment with the NCSA 2023 reflects a balanced approach born out of extensive consultations with industry players, importers, and regulatory bodies,” he said.
US authorities are looking for a small plane carrying 10 people that has been reported missing in the state of Alaska.
The US Coast Guard for the Alaska region said a Cessna Caravan craft was 12 miles (19km) offshore on a flight from Unalakleet to Nome when “its position was lost”.
The two cities are some 146 miles from each other across the Norton Sound, an inlet of the Bering Sea on Alaska’s western coast.
Search and rescue crews “are working to get to the last known coordinates” of the flight, state officials said in a statement.
They said they had been notified of an “overdue” aircraft operated by the airline Bering Air at 16:00 local time on Thursday (01:00 GMT).
The 10 people on board comprised nine passengers and a pilot, the update from the Alaska Department of Public Safety said. There was no information immediately available about who was on board.
The volunteer fire department in the landing city Nome said the pilot had told air traffic controllers that “he intended to enter a holding pattern while waiting for the runway to be cleared”.
David Olson, director of operations for Bering Air, was quoted by Sun UK as saying that the aircraft left an airstrip in Unalakleet at 2:37 pm before officials lost all contact less than an hour later.
It was 12 miles offshore when it was last sighted, according to the US Coast Guard.
Nome Volunteer Fire Department said in a statement: “We are currently responding to a report of a missing Bering Air caravan.
“We are doing an active ground search from Nome and from White Mountain.
“Due to weather and visibility, we are limited on air search at the current time.
“National Guard, Coast Guard, and Troopers have been notified and are active in the search.”
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