Former Senator Shehu Sani has condemned the recent proposal by the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution to create 31 additional states in Nigeria.
The proposal, announced during a plenary session on Thursday, February 6, was read by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, sparking widespread debate across political and public spheres.
Reacting to the development on Friday, February 7, via his X handle, Sani described the move as “ironic and comical.”
He questioned the rationale behind the plan, particularly in light of the financial struggles of many existing states, which rely heavily on federal allocations to function.
“While many states are dependent on federal allocation for their survival, the House of Representatives’ proposal for 31 states is ironic and comical. Politicians just want to carve out mini colonies for themselves,” Sani remarked.
If approved, the proposal would increase Nigeria’s total number of states from 36 to 67, a move that has already drawn criticism from various stakeholders concerned about the economic viability and governance implications of such a significant expansion.