Olusegun Adeyemo
Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions following renewed calls by South-West leaders for the creation of additional states, more local government areas (LGAs), and constitutionally defined roles for traditional rulers.
The proposals emerged during the South-West Zonal Public Hearing on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution, held in Lagos, and have since sparked debate across the country.
Representing the Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele outlined the key proposals from the zone. These include the creation of Ijebu State (from Ogun), Coastal State (from Ondo), Igbomina State (from parts of Osun, Ekiti, and Kwara), as well as Ibadan State and New Oyo State (both from Oyo).
Other demands include: Official recognition of the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) created by the Lagos State Government since 2003, Boundary adjustments between Lagos and Ogun states, and Renaming of Irewole LGA in Osun State to Ikire LGA.
The Senate also acknowledged it is considering bills seeking constitutional recognition for traditional rulers and reserved legislative seats for women.
While some Nigerians welcomed the proposals as steps toward decentralisation and grassroots development, others questioned the necessity and practicality of creating more administrative units in a country already struggling with economic and governance challenges.
Mr. Chiazọka Ibe, a building contractor in Lagos, dismissed the idea, calling instead for a return to regional governance.
“Take the nation back to a regional system, then you may have as many states as you want in your region,” he told The Journal Nigeria.
Mr. Bolu Ogundowole, a Nigerian based in New York, described the push as politically motivated and disconnected from the realities on ground.
“Why demand new states when the existing ones can barely provide infrastructure or security? This only promotes further division. Not every politician has to become a governor,” he said.
Timothy Anyanwu, a schoolteacher, echoed similar sentiments.
“The current structure is already bloated and unsustainable. Adding more states only increases the cost of governance,” he argued.
On the issue of assigning constitutional roles to traditional rulers, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who spoke on behalf of South-West monarchs, said their intention was not to undermine elected officials.
“We are not seeking political power. We only want to complement government efforts in areas such as security, conflict resolution, and community development,” the monarch explained.
As the constitutional review process progresses, the proposals from the South-West—and reactions from various stakeholders—are expected to fuel intense national debate in the coming weeks.
Nigerians across the geopolitical zones now await how the National Assembly will navigate the diverse interests, regional demands, and institutional concerns that continue to shape the country’s constitutional future.