FORMER Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon is 80. Time really flies. The image of Gowon, in the minds of those who lived through the Civil War, was of a dashing officer, not one to be associated with 80 years and its frailties. Gowon has been known for his openness on some issues. His admission of his ill-preparedness to lead Nigeria was one.

Nigeria  still left us with a country grappling with issues the immediate post-independent years threw up. Gowon skirted them in his birthday speech.

Among these issues is the ceaseless agitation for States. Some reasons are adduced for creating States, but none of them is about the security and welfare of the people. The interest of the people is only a poor excuse for carving up of Nigeria.

Yakubu Gowon

Gowon, Head of State at 31, started it. States, he said, were created to remove the fear of political domination that threatened Nigeria’s unity. If we follow his logic, there is no need for more States.

Has the fear of political domination been addressed since 1967 when the first States were created from the four regions? Have new States not created new minorities who are not just afraid of political domination, but suffer it? Why were States created in 1967?

Gowon’s objection to the creation of more States falls below his 1967. “At the moment, States are demanded based on ethnic groups. The 36 States are reasonable but creating States to take care of ethnic nationalities is destructive,” Gowon said.

As memories fade, interests wane, and more complicated politics take stands, Nigerians have ignored the fundamental issues that caused the Civil War. Without addressing the Civil War, in a wholesome approach, the injustices that create agitations in different parts of the country – or the fear of political domination according to Gowon – would persist. State creation cannot cure them.

Nigerians want governments that are close to them through their programmes, not by the number of States and local government areas, which only benefit politicians who are bent on creating offices and positions for themselves, without considering the lethal effect on the economy.

Congratulations Gowon at 80, we wish you good health. You have conducted yourself well outside office. Gowon and former President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari are the only former holders of the office who shun the publicity others draw to themselves.

We also remind him that time ticks. He is the last remaining principal actor in the Civil War who could oblige Nigerians his memoirs. It is his final duty to a nation he led to the best of his ability and without the hindsight many use in criticising him.