Imo State’s Governor Hope Uzodimma and his Abia equal, Alex Otti, have expressed opposite opinions on state creation at a public hearing on the 1999 Constitution Review organised in Owerri.
While Uzodimma wants the creation of additional states in the South-East, Otti, expressed strong opposition to the idea, citing economic concerns and the burden of a bloated bureaucracy.
Otti, who was represented by his Deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, specifically cited concerns that additional states would overstretch Nigeria’s limited resources.
Uzodimma said that additional states for the South-East would promote equity and justice for the Igbo people and also address the perceived marginalisation of the region: “Every other zone has six or more states.
“This imbalance has led to underrepresentation in critical national institutions, from the National Assembly to the Federal Executive Council.
“It has shrunk our voice and abridged our inclusivity.
“Therefore, it’s only fair and just that we ask for the creation of at least two additional states in the South-East.”
He specifically called for the creation of Anim State, saying that it would boast of an oil-producing status upon creation.
“This makes it commercially viable, with sufficient revenue base to self-sustenance.
“This should naturally go hand in hand with the creation of new local government areas for the zone,” he said.
Acknowledging that the call for new states was rooted in valid concerns about marginalization of the South-East, Otti said it could worsen the nation’s already strained finances and inefficient administrative structure.
“Unless we can find independent sources of funding for these new states, I don’t see how this will benefit the country,” Otti said. He instead advocated for inclusive governance models that empower all ethnic groups within existing states.
However, Governor Otti threw his weight behind the creation of state police, calling it a matter of “urgent national priority.” He stressed that the federal policing system has proven inadequate, leaving communities vulnerable. He urged that clear standards be set for recruitment, accountability, and cooperation with federal agencies.
The Governor also gave his full endorsement for the creation of additional legislative seats for women in both the national and state assemblies. Nonetheless, he warned that this effort must be accompanied by reforms within political parties to prevent male dominance by proxy through the appointment of female representatives.
On the issue of indigeneship, the Imo Governor said anyone born in a state or had lived in a state for upwards of 10 years should be considered a legitimate indigene of that state in the proposed constitutional amendments.
The Governor further called for the constitutional entrenchment of rotational presidency, “not along the ambiguous North–South divide, but along our six established geopolitical zones”.
He expressed the need for decisive position on the issue of state Police, saying that the current centralised policing structure was overstretched and often disconnected from local realities.
“As the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, I can confirm that we support the decentralisation of the police for greater responsiveness and effectiveness.
“The fear that Governors will misuse such a force is unfounded and frankly outdated,” Uzodimma said.
He urged the committee to be guided by the hope of millions of Nigerians, who seek a Constitution that truly belongs to them – “one that ensures fairness, equity, and a level playing field for all”.
Otti said: “I am aware that proposals for the creation of 31 new states were received by the National Assembly, prior to this time.
“I respect the right of those who believe that the creation of new states would address concerns of marginalisation and exclusion of some ethnic and religious groups in the current structure in some parts of the country.
“I am more concerned about the additional burden these proposals, if adopted, would add to the lean resources of the nation through the multiplication of administrative costs and further bloating of an oversized bureaucracy.
“Except we can magically find independent sources of financing the new states outside what currently exists, I do not share the optimism of those promoting the idea of adding new states to the current 36-state structure.
“My recommendation would be the development of an inclusive governance model in the states, one that gives every major clan a say in the allocation of resources, a seat at the decision-making table and the structural leverage to advance their political and economic interests,” he said.
Otti said that Nigerians should be more concerned about improving the economic structure of the states, double efforts at creating jobs for the young people outside the civil service and make the welfare of the common man a priority.
He further said the present realities in the country made the creation of state police a matter of urgent national priority.
According to him, the current exclusive federal policing system is largely inadequate and exposes the people to a litany of vulnerabilities over the years.
“So, I would vote for the creation of State Police but with a proviso that standards be clearly defined as it relates to leadership, relationship with federal and other sub-national policing structures, recruitments, accountability and respect for human rights,” he said.
Otti further called for caution and a holistic appreciation of the broad implications on the proposal to alter the provisions of the 1999 Constitution to establish the local government councils as a separate tier of government.
