“Devolution is not about weakening the centre; it is about empowering the grassroots to strengthen the whole nation.”

By Benjamin Mokwunye

The history of state creation in Nigeria is a convoluted one, marked by complexities, political struggles, ethnic considerations, ever-changing government priorities, and regional interests. These are realities everyone living in Nigeria knows all too well.
As we all know, Nigeria’s journey toward the present 36-state structure was shaped by the aforementioned factors, including colonial legacies, administrative convenience, and political ambition.

Before independence in 1960, Nigeria was governed by a three-regional structure comprising the Northern, Western, and Eastern Regions. Then, on August 9, 1963, the Mid-Western Region was created, becoming the fourth. But Nigeria’s regional governments had their own problems, including ethnic rivalries, uneven development, and struggles for political dominance.

In the Northern Region, for instance, the Hausa-Fulani ethnic group dominated the political landscape due to its size and influence. In the Western and Eastern Regions, the Yoruba and Igbo respectively held sway in Ibadan and Enugu. However, this real or perceived domination was capitalized upon by General Yakubu Gowon, the then Head of State, who, amid the looming Civil War, created 12 additional states as a strategy to weaken the secessionist Biafra. Later, under General Murtala Muhammed, who succeeded Gowon, seven more states were created. General Ibrahim Babangida followed with the creation of nine new states, including Abia, Enugu, Delta, and Kogi. The last round of state creation came under General Sani Abacha, who established Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Zamfara.

The truth is that state creation has not resolved the persistent issues of marginalization, underdevelopment, suspicion, and exclusion. Therefore, it is safe to say that, in all these processes, equity has often been missing. This is why the call for restructuring remains as strong and persistent as ever.

For example, before September 23, 1987, when Akwa Ibom State was carved out of the present Cross River State, many had expected that Anioma State, then perceived as a top priority, should also have been created from the defunct Bendel State, based on principles of fairness, expediency, and inclusion. Today, some Anioma people from Delta North, rightly or wrongly, feel politically and economically marginalized because of the 1987 decision.
As a teenager at the time, I still remember the heroic roles played by people like my late father, Alex Iwuani Mokwunye, and other patriots of the Anioma State Movement era, such as Ambassador Raph Uwechue, Colonel Conrad Nwawo, and Senator Ned Nwoko, who continues to keep the flame of agitation for Anioma State alive in the red chambers. These were men who stood firm in the face of the high-wire politics of state creation in those days.

So, why was Anioma State not created, despite all the efforts and hopes invested in the project? Was it politics, poor governance structures, corruption, or the usual mix of ethnicity, elite interests, carelessness, or a blatant disregard for the aspirations of a group of people?
But we can prevent such mistakes in the future, those based on primordial tendencies, by cultivating love, fostering patriotism, promoting inclusion, and prioritizing empathy over instinct and brazenness.

Going forward, for true unity, progress, and the development we all desire, our country must treat every part of Nigeria with fairness, respect, and equal consideration. No region or group, no matter how small, should be sidelined for any reason whatsoever.
That is the only path to achieving national harmony.

I began this piece by asserting that the devolution of power is inherently good and a necessary step in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. It balances interests, encourages inclusion, promotes equity, respects diversity, and is vital for national unity.
By its very nature, devolution strengthens democracy because it brings government closer to the people. Without a doubt, it is a progressive and positive step toward nationhood, especially at a time like this.
Regardless of other views, I personally do not agree with those who promote the narrative that devolution of power weakens the centre. It does not. It is all about empowering the grassroots and, by extension, the entire nation.
After all, the major issues surrounding the politics of state creation in Nigeria are power struggles, the greed of some politicians, and competing interests.

Therefore, we must all look beyond political opportunism and consider the bigger picture of cohesion, national unity, and development. The creation of new states can, and often does, trigger multiplier effects by stimulating growth and the economy. No one should lose sight of that. If properly envisioned, devolution can also lead to development, increased government spending, and improved access to public services. A new state naturally brings about employment opportunities, political representation, and a reduction in ethnic and regional tensions.

I believe the original vision of state creation was to promote inclusivity by bringing governance closer to the people to foster development. But what do we see today in Nigeria? A system riddled with poor governance, inequality, patchy growth, greed, incompetence, and personal aggrandizement, in a country where many still go to bed hungry and angry. That is unacceptable.
State creation should serve the people, not the other way around.
Some politicians and their cohorts who are expecting to reap personal benefits from state creation should be cautioned.

Like others, I have also been following the debates and public hearings on state creation. I think the engagements are veritable platforms for citizens to voice their demands, fears, hopes, and expectations. This is also an important opportunity for us to reshape our country’s future and direction through an all-encompassing dialogue. I watched some recent television clips of the Enugu public hearing, and they raised hopes about the direction the conversation is taking.
I hope that local government administration is also receiving the attention it deserves in this quest for decentralizing power. Given its vital role in promoting grassroots development, democratic governance, and serving as a training ground for conflict prevention and leadership, the third tier of government should not be left out of these discussions.

The point, and this is important, is that politicians, irrespective of party affiliation, must become more sincere and genuinely committed to the overall interest of the people who elected them.
Anyone who sees a newly created state as an opportunity to fulfill personal ambitions should think again.

Let me conclude by emphasizing that the positive change we all seek can also come from our young people and women, many of whom have been excluded for far too long. Without a doubt, young people deserve a place in the politics of our country because of their fresh ideas, energy, and innovation. If well harnessed, they can drive meaningful change.

God bless Nigeria.

Mokwunye, a lawyer and public affairs analyst, lives in Lagos.