The ongoing Creation of 18 new States in Nigeria

The delegates of the ongoing National Conference
agreed with a recommendation by Conference's
Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of
Government which advocated creation of 18 new
states in Nigeria and rotation of the presidential
post between the South and the North.
In case the Federal Government embraces the
suggestion, Nigeria will have a total of 54 states
located in six geo-political zones, nine states per
each of the zone.
An additional state would be created for the South
East zone, which currently has only five states, i.e.
Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu
, and Imo.
The Conference also offered rotation of the
presidency between the North and South and
among the six geo-political zones. The
governorship seat would be subject to rotation
among the senatorial districts in each state.
Ike Nwachukwu and Mohammed Kumalia, the two
co-Chairmen of the Committee, emphasized that
the idea of creating new states in Nigeria remained
a highly-controversial political issue.
The report, issued on June 30, 2014, Monday,
contained the names of the following new states for
Nigeria:
1. Apa from the present Benue State
2. Kainji from Kebbi
3. Katagum from Bauchi
4. Savannah from Borno
5. Amana from Adamawa
6. Gurara from Kaduna
7. Ghari from Kano
8. Etiti from South East
9. Aba from Abia
10. Adada from Enugu
11. Njaba-Anim from Anambra and Imo
12. Anioma from Delta
13. Orashi from Rivers State
14. Ogoja from Cross River
15. IJebu from Ogun
16. New Oyo State from the present Oyo State.
Names and capitals of states # 17 and 18, which
are to be created in South-West and South-South
zones, are yet to be determined.
The criteria for existence of new states are
sufficient economical strength and potential,
presence of human, material and natural resources.
A new state should have a minimum population of
one million people.