Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal has called for a halt to the creation of new states, saying the existing 36 states should first be strengthened.
Lawal made the call in Gusau while meeting media executives as part of activities marking the 30th anniversary of Zamfara State, according to Daily Trust.
The governor said the financial challenges facing many states made it necessary to reconsider whether creating additional states would deliver the expected development.
He acknowledged that state creation had previously brought government closer to the people, created jobs and supported the growth of towns.
However, Lawal said the economic situation had changed, with some existing states struggling to meet their financial and administrative obligations.
He argued that states should first have the economic capacity and effective institutions needed to meet the needs of their citizens before new ones are created.
Lawal noted that the creation of new states is among the issues being considered in the ongoing review of the Nigerian Constitution.
“House of Representatives had received 56 requests for the creation of new states from different parts of the country” he said.
Under Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, creating a new state requires several conditions, including legislative support, approval from affected local government councils and a referendum.
Lawal said Zamfara’s creation from the former Sokoto State in 1996 had brought benefits to the state, but maintained that current economic realities should be considered before creating additional states.
