Nigeria doesn’t need more states — Alex Otti cautions against expansion

Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has reiterated his position that Nigeria does not require the creation of additional states, citing concerns over economic sustainability and governance efficiency.

Speaking through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti made the remarks during the Constitution Review meeting for Imo and Abia States, held in Owerri.

He cautioned that expanding Nigeria’s state structure without addressing the viability of existing ones could worsen the country’s economic challenges.

“Governor Otti’s position over the years on the creation of additional states in Nigeria hasn’t changed and will not change. His position is that the country doesn’t require additional States, especially when most of the already existing states lack the viability for economic self-sustainability,” the statement read.

However, he acknowledged the current imbalance in the geopolitical distribution of states across Nigeria. While other zones have six or seven states, the South East remains the only zone with just five. In this context, Otti supported the creation of one additional state in the South East to correct the disparity, but opposed blanket state creation across all zones.

The governor warned that pushing for more states, particularly without laying a solid economic foundation, could deepen division and hinder national progress.

“Creating additional States in Nigeria when the economic super-structure that should sustain the already existing but troubled ones hasn’t been laid is akin to intentionally laying the foundation for further division and dichotomy that could impact our body polity negatively,” Otti stated.

He referenced the legacies of visionary leaders like M.I. Okpara and Sam Mbakwe, who achieved significant development within large and complex administrative regions without the need for fragmented state creation.

Otti also urged stakeholders, especially public office holders, to steer clear of selfish motivations in the ongoing debate over state creation, stressing that genuine national development should be the guiding principle.

“Guard against selfish interests, as they do not advance the long-term interest and welfare of the citizenry,” the statement concluded.