Human rights activist, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has berated the agitation for the creation of additional State in the Southeast, Nigeria.
Recall that some members of the House of Representatives have renewed agitation for state creation in the South-East.
But speaking on Sunday in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, Agbakoba said the call was a misplaced priority.
Agbakoba stated that what the Representatives members should be canvassing is regionalism.
He stated that regionalism is the only way out of the country’s myriads of its problems.
The former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, described most of the States in Nigeria as unviable.
ISUIKWUATO VOICE recalls that the House of Representatives recently passed for second reading a bill seeking the creation of some States in the Southeast. The proposed States are Anioma, Aba, Adaba and Etiti .
The bill for the creation of Etiti State was sponsored by Reps Amobi Godwin Ogah, Miriam Onuoha, Kama Nkemkama, Princess Nnabuife and Anayo Onwuegbu.
Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Ogah (LP, Abia) said the establishment of Etiti State was not just a matter of administrative convenience. He noted that it is a step towards ensuring balanced regional development and effective governance.
Other lawmakers and stakeholders have also called for the creation of Anioma State. The proposed State is to be carved out from States in the South-South and Southeast regions.
One of those leading the call for the Anioma State is Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta North). According to him, the creation of Anioma State would correct what he described as the marginalization of the Southeast geopolitical zone.
He said, “Anioma State if created will increase the population of the Southeast, the land mass, and the resource base of the region.
But reacting to the agitations, Agbakoba said Nigeria currently has no need for more States.
He, instead, said “lawmakers and other political stakeholders should be concerned about restructuring Nigeria. He stated that the country should restructured into a regional government to reflect the real diversity of the country.
Agbakoba, therefore, said he was not in support of additional States. He maintained that most of the 36 States were economically unviable, insolvent.
He pointed that the States are not capable of bringing about infrastructural development. Or even paying the proposed minimum wage.
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