BY ERIC TENIOLA
On May 27, 1967, the then Head of State, General Yakubu Dan-Yumma Gowon (91) GCFR, said “the main obstacle to future stability in this country is the present structural imbalance in the Nigeria Federation”. No doubt, the General’s statement is as true today as at when he made the broadcast. It was in the broadcast that he created twelve states out of the four regions in existence at that time. The instability keeps on widening daily in the country. And it depends on which area it has effect on you.
The main focus now is on the coming general elections and all other issues are secondary. In fact, the only job in town now, is party politics. There are no factories, there are no industries. To survive in the present-day Nigeria is to be a politician and that is why sycophancy and party fanaticism have become rampart.
Governance seems suspended. Inspite of flattering words of hope by government, nothing has changed. No improvement, the poor citizens are still lamenting. Life generally, is becoming unbearable. The killings still continue on innocent ones and nobody knows when it will end.
We have carried democracy to the extreme to the extent that it has more or less crippled the country.
But the issue of restructuring and the creation of new states with other issues will not go away. They will be addressed after the election. President Bola Tinubu GCFR or anyone to be elected President, in the next year’s Presidential election will have no other choice but to address these outstanding issues.
The issue before us is the creation of states.
Between 1960 and 1966, Nigeria still operated the regional arrangement. However, between 1967 and 1996, the country had to be split into thirty-six States. The first state creation exercise was undertaken by the regime of General Yakubu Gowon GCFR in 1967. Prior to General Gowon’s ascension to power, General Aguiyi Ironsi GCFR was Nigeria’s first military Head of State but following his assassination in July 1966, General Gowon became the new military ruler of the country. He dissolved the four regions in the country and subsequently created twelve States on May 5, 1967. Six States were carved out from the former northern region. These were: the North-Western State, the North-Eastern State, Kano State, North Central State, Benue-Plateau State and Kwara State. The former western region was split into two States: the Western State and Lagos State. The former mid-western region became the Mid-Western State, while the former eastern region had three new States carved out from it. These were the East Central State, Rivers State and the South-Eastern State. Another state creation exercise took place in 1976 following the ouster of General Yakubu Gowon in a military coup led by General Murtala Mohammed.
On assumption of office, he (General Murtala Mohammed) created the following States: Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Imo, Niger, Ogun and Ondo, bringing the total number of States to nineteen, from the original twelve States created by General Yakubu Gowon. It took another eleven years (1987) for State creation exercise to be undertaken in the country. That was under the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida GCFR (1985 – 1993).
In 1987, General Ibrahim Babangida created two States namely, Akwa Ibom and Katsina. He also created nine additional States in 1991. These were: Abia, Enugu, Delta, Jigawa, Kebbi, Osun, Kogi, Taraba and Yobe. It is instructive to note that Akwa Ibom State was carved out from Cross River State, while Katsina State was created from Kaduna State. Similarly, Adamawa and Taraba States were carved out from the former Gongola State, and Enugu State out of Anambra State, while Edo and Delta States replaced the old Bendel State. Also, Yobe State was created from Borno State, and Jigawa out of Kano State, while Kebbi and Osun States were carved out from Sokoto and Oyo States respectively. Kogi State came from Kwara and Benue States. Altogether, there were thirty (30) States by 1991.
General Sani Abacha GCFR (20 September 1943 – 8 June 1998) became Nigeria’s next military Head of State in 1993 after ousting the Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government (ING). Due to stringent agitations for more States, General Sani Abacha set up the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) which recommended, among other things, the creation of new States. Thus, on October 1, 1996, he created six additional States namely, Ebonyi (from Abia and Enugu States), Bayelsa (from Rivers State), Nasarawa (from Plateau State), Gombe (from Bauchi), and Ekiti (from Ondo).
The movements for the creation of states in Nigeria can be traced back to 1937 when Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (born November 16, 1904, Zungeru, Nigeria—died May 11, 1996, Enugu) advocated in his book THE POLITICAL BLUEPRINT OF NIGERIA, a federal form government for the country and the division of the country into eight constituent units based on geographical configuration. Dr. Azikiwe was later joined by Chief Obafemi Awolowo (6 March 1909 – 9 May 1987) who, in a book, PATH TO NIGERIA FREEDOM published in 1947, proposed a redivision of Nigeria into Ten Federating units with ethnic, linguistic and cultural affinity as the basis of division. However, Chief Obafemi Awolowo writing in 1966 seemed to have modified his stand when he shifted ground and advocated a redivision of the country into eighteen states—nine in the North and nine in the South based on linguistic and cultural affinity as well as economic viability of States in the Federation.
Chief Awolowo’s submission at that time was that the COR state with the population of 717,000 Ibibio; 435,000 Annang; 428,000 Ibo; 251,000 Ijaw; Ogoni 156,000 and Efik 75,000. He alerted that the genuine cause of the minorities in the then Eastern Region should be created.
Chief Awolowo re-echoed this demand on May 1, 1967 in Ibadan at a meeting of Western Region Leaders of Thought on the need for the creation of more states especially COR state meaning Calabar, Ogoja and Rivers states. He told the meeting on that day “We have been told that an act of secession on the part of the East would be a signal in the first instance for the creation of the COR state by decree which would be backed, if need be, by use of force”.
In 1963 as a result of the 1962 Western Region Crisis the pressure for the state creation which resulted in subsequent declaration of a state of emergency in the former Western Region, the Mid-West Region (now Edo and Delta states), was created out of the then Western Region. The creation of the new Region tended to have intensified and encouraged the demands for the creation of more new states in other parts of the country as we have witnessed over the years.
Further in his May 27, 1967 broadcast, General Gowon declared “this is why the first item in the political and administrative programme adopted by the Supreme Military Council last month is the creation of states for stability. This must be done first so as to remove the fear of domination. Representatives drawn from the new states will be more able to work out the future constitution for this country which can contain provisions to protect power of the states to the fullest extent desired by the Nigerian people”.
Although there is no magic formula for determining the optimum number of states in any Federation, certain specific criteria must be spelt out if the entire exercise of State-Creation is to be conducted in a rationale and fair manner.
Any meaningful exercise in State-Creation has to be guided by specific and well-defined political consideration. First, there is the need to maintain and strengthen our federal system of government which must continuously reduce suppression and discord in every new step taken. In our earnest attempt to redraw the political map of Nigeria and satisfy the legitimate yearnings and aspirations of the generality of our people, we must guard against the proliferation of States which will not only reduce states to glorified local governments, but more importantly enable the Federal Government to become stronger and stronger, through which process the country may inadvertently revert to a unitary system of government.
Although the Creation of New States would bring states government closer to the people thereby making government particularly at the state level, more accountable and more efficient each new state must be in a position to function effectively in a Federal Structure where the constituent units are usually coordinated and mutually independent.
In applying this political consideration to the present exercise in States Creation however, we must remember that the United States of America with fifty States and Switzerland with twenty-five cantons have adhered strictly to the principles of Federalism. What is more, both the Constitution and revenue allocation systems have clearly defined the structural, functional and relationships between the various levels of government in Nigeria.
Secondly, there is the need to promote peace and political stability in the country. Today, the issue of State creation is so crucial and fundamental that peace and stability cannot be guaranteed without some action taken about it. Apart from the ever-increasing desire to attract more revenue, political and other appointments and patronage from the Federal establishments, the State creation promoters are vigorously envisaging the successful emergence of a political structure that shall perpetually disallow any ethnic group to hold a position which can enable it to dominate all the others put together.
State creation exercise must be sufficiently related to the needs and aspirations of the various groupings in Nigeria. The continued agitations for creation of more States is a direct result from bad government—leadership and discriminatory policies of the various state governments. Indeed, even if the National Assembly was to make every hamlet in this country, there would continue to be demands for State Creation so long as there is a corrupt, autocratic and purposeless government or government or governments particularly at the state level.
The basic motivation in the demands for States Creation is the promotion of accelerated and balanced economic development. States Creation, it is often argued, makes for the greatest possible diffusion of economic power which in itself guarantees even development. It is also often asserted that some State Creation demands are masterminded by few selfish individuals with the hope of becoming big fish in small waters if and when the New State is created. Be that as it may, certain specific dimensions of economic viability constitute relevant considerations in any sensible exercise in State-Creation.
The proliferation of States, for instance, may lead to high administrative cost and acute shortage of high and middle level manpower particularly in the less developed areas of the country. The present economic trend in the country, the low revenue generating capabilities of the existing states and their heavy dependence on statutory grants from the Federal Government call for caution and calm assessment of Nigeria’s, economic and political potentialities in the area under consideration.
There are some areas that should have become states by now judging by their past history. I have in mind Ijebu, Ogoja, Anioma, Ghari, Tiga, Okura, Lautai, Ngaba, Katagum and several areas. Tiga state should have composed of Bebeji, Gwarzo, Rano, Tudun-Wada and Rogo, all in Kano state, while Ghari state should have composed of Kazaure, Bichi and Dambatta also in Kano state.
Okura state should have composed of Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Idah, Ofu and Omalla while Katagum state should have composed of Shira, Gamawa, Misau, Katagum and Jama’re. Njaba state should have been created from Imo state. Lautai state should have composed of Ringim, Kaugama, Garki, Gumel, Maitagari, Hadeija Keffin-Hausa and Birniwa.
Ibadan state should comprise of the present eleven local government areas. Ibadan is the largest metropolitan area in Nigeria after Lagos and Kano. The city of Ibadan has 11 Local Government Areas. Egbeda, Ibadan North, Akinyele, Ibadan North East, Ibadan North West, Ibadan South East Ibadan South West, Ido, Lagelu, Oluyole and Ona-Ara. With a population of 3.1million and a land area of 3,850 square kilometers (2013), Ibadan city is the largest metropolitan geographical area in West Africa, housing almost half of Oyo State’s population (45 percent). From around 60,000 in the early 1800s Ibadan population grew to 200,000 in 1890, and to a million by 1930, the population is projected to reach 5.6 million people by 2033.
Ibadan state deserves to be.
Anioma state was long advocated many years ago. I remember in 1979, Senator Nosike Ikpo along with Chief Martin Nwoseh, Chief Michael Agbamuche, A. N. Iduwe and G.N. Nwechue, submitted a strong worded memorandum to the National Assembly. Senator Ikpo was a friend and lobbied his colleagues then for the creation of Anioma state. At that time, Anioma comprised of four local governments areas—Ndokwa, Ika, Aniocha and Oshimili. His argument at that time was that the creation of Anioma states would enhance the participation of the Igbos in a more united Nigeria.
By 1945, the British created thirteen Provinces in Northern Region, eight in Western Region and seven in Eastern Region. These Provinces existed till self-government in 1954. The Northern Provinces were Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Bornu, Ilorin, Kabba, Kano, Katsina, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto and Zaria; the Western Region Provinces were Abeokuta, Benin, Ijebu, Ondo, Oyo, and Warri while Eastern Region Provinces consisted of Calabar, Cameroons, Ogoja, Onitsha, Owerri and Rivers.
As of today, most of these Provinces have become autonomous states except Ogoja and Ijebu. Remo was of course grouped under Ijebu Province while Abeokuta has since become a state capital. Some of these old Provinces have been split into states. Take for example Ondo Province. It had four divisions namely Ekiti, Okitipupa, Ondo and Owo. Now the old Province has been split into two states, Ekiti and Ondo. The old Calabar Province consisted of Ikot Ekpenne, Uyo, Eket. Now the old Calabar Province had become two states—Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom. Even the old Benue Province comprised of Lafia, Idoma, Nasarawa, Wukari now has two states—Benue and Nasarawa states.
The only exception in the old Western Region, is Ijebu Province—that has not been granted an autonomous state. So, the demand for Ijebu state is needful. If other Provinces can become autonomous state why not Ijebu.
Before he died, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Ọba Sikiru Kayọde Adetọna (10 May 1934 – 13 July 2025), Ogbagba II, not only canvassed for unity among the Ijebu and Remo people, he also canvassed for the creation of Ijebu state. It is now left for the leaders of Ijebu and Remo to press on for the legitimate demand of Ijebu state.
A proposed Ijebu state will comprise of Shagamu, Ikenne, Iperu, Odogbolu, Ago-Iwoye, Ogberre, Atan, Ijebu-Igbo, Irewon, Mobalufon, Imoru, Ijebu Mushin, Aboyin, Eriwu, Egbe, Ikala, Kelewe, Okepo, Ososa, Omidudu, Lapara, Imosan, Ikoto, Iperin, Ijebu-Ife, Molipa, Ikangba, Latogun, Ogbo/Imaweje, Itamarun, Isiwo, Iloti, Igbokutu, Igasa Odo, Igara, Okelamuren, Ogere, Iloti etc.
At present, the proposed state has the following as local governments—Shagamu, Remo north, Ogun Waterside, Odogbolu, Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu North East, Ijebu North and Ijebu East.
That of Ogoja is another example. The following divisions made up of old Ogoja Province—Abakaliki, Afikpo, Ikom, Obubra and Ogoja.
Ogoja lost narrowly from becoming a state in 1975.
On August 7, 1975, General Murtala Mohammed GCFR, set up a committee on the creation of more states in the country. At that time, Nigeria had twelve states. The committee was headed by Chief Justice Ayo Gabriel Irikefe, GCON (3 March 1922 – 1 August 1996). Other members of the committee were Brigadier General Godwin Ally, Dr. A.D. Yahaya, Mr. Solomon Daushep Lar, Mr C. Audifferen while Dr Dele Cole was named as the secretary of the committee.
The expectation was that Brigadier General Ally, as a member of the committee, who is from Ogoja area will work for the actualization of Ogoja state. That was not to be.
At that time, it was easy to create states under a military regime unlike now.
While serving as Minister of Defence in 2002, General (rtd.) Yakubu Theophilus Danjuma renamed four barracks in the South South. They are Adaka Boro Barracks – Elele; Emmanuel Ekpo Barracks – Ikom; Godwin Ally Barracks – Ogoja and Patrick Dan Archibong Barracks – Calabar.
By the way, talking about Brigadier Ally reminds me of his loyalty and service to this great country
In 1954, the late Brigadier Godwin Ally, who hailed from Ogoja province, was in the first set of young boy soldiers to attend the Nigerian Military School in Zaria (then called “Boys Company”). He trained at the ROSTS in Ghana, MONS OCS in the UK and the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst from March 1959 until August 1962 when he was commissioned as a regular combatant along with Ibrahim Haruna, Musa Usman, Emmanuel Ikwue and Okpo Isong.
In August 1967, following the Biafran invasion of the Midwest, then Lt. Col. Godwin Ally took command of the newly created 7 Brigade between Ore and Okitipupa. He was responsible for pushing Biafran troops toward Benin along the Ore-Benin Road as the main 2DIV force descended from the north to cut them off.
After the federal recapture of Benin, he was tasked with the central axis in the advance to Abudu enroute to Asaba. Because of the destruction of the bridge over the Ossiomo (Orhionmwon) river, he had to execute a single envelopment via a detour through Owa Elero, emerging behind Biafran troops at Agbor in the process. He exploited toward Umunede, and then drove toward Asaba via Isele-Ukwu, taking the Asaba after bloody fighting at St. Patrick’s College, along with elements of the 6 Brigade under Lt. Col. Alani Akinrinade.
Colonel Ally’s 7 Brigade was tasked with rear stability operations in the Asaba area. In September 1968, he was transferred to the 3Marine Commando where he became 1 Sector Commander with responsibility for the 15 and 16 Brigades. Subsequently, he was appointed the Chief of Staff of the 3Marine Commando Division initially under Colonel Benjamin Adekunle, but later under Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo. It was with then Lt. Col. Godwin Ally that the beleaguered 16 Brigade linked up in April 1969 after their break out from the siege of Owerri.
One of the members of the Barracks Panel, Maj. Gen. MC Alli once served under the late Brigadier in the 2nd Division during the war. In his book “The Federal Republic of Nigerian Army” he said of the late Brigadier Ally,
“The 7 Infantry Brigade Commander, Colonel Godwin Ally, a fiercely courageous, swashbuckling, highly committed officer and gentleman who led his troops from the front or amongst them at critical times. In a different environment, but within the same calling, he would be regarded as an example of a classical warrior or warlord. He would drive off to any sector of his command that ran into a stiff, tricky situation, extricate and stabilize the situation, give a word or two of advice to the Commanding Officer and like a whistle, he was gone to some other troubled area. He lasted the war, though with a couple of bullets to constantly remind him of Biafra. He was a warrior lost in the crowd after the war, he treated his captives with compassion and understanding. He was one of the most enduring officers and gentlemen for all times.”
Brigadier Godwin Ally was the Commander of the Lagos Garrison Organization when the coup against General Yakubu Gowon took place on July 29, 1975. He opposed the coup, expressed his displeasure, and was later retired on January 21st 1976.
While serving in Ikeja Garrison, his second in Command was Lt-Colonel Shehu Musa Yar’adua (5 March 1943 – 8 December 1997) who later became number 2 man in the country after General Murtala’s assassination in February 1976. Brigadier Ally’s ADC was Colonel Lawan Gwadabe (77), who later became the Military Governor of Niger State.
Brig Godwin Gregory Aja Ally was born on 1st January, 1940 in Ukwortung-Utugwang in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State to Pa Ally Atem & Ma Unwanyi Ally farmer and trader respectively.
He grew up in Zaria with his late elder brother Corporal Ulim Robinson Ally who was a soldier. As an intelligent boy in the barracks, he excelled in his primary school education and was enlisted into military institutions and went through several military schools and courses. His brilliance aided his military career with several positions and promotions until he retired voluntarily with the rank of Brigadier at the age of thirty-six years in 1976. His closest friend and colleague during his career and after retirement was Brig Emmanuel Ikwe (Rtd)
He got married to his Danish wife, Mrs Sonja K.R. Ally on 5th May, 1963. The marriage was blessed with two sons and two daughters. Mrs S.K.R. Ally retired a few years ago and has travelled back to Denmark for health reasons.
He was a member of Supreme Military Council; he was acting Military Governor of Lagos State; Commandant, Army Garrison, Bonny Camp; he was Chairman of Nigeria Port Authority, 1976-1979; he was Chairman Ikoyi Golf Club, Ikoyi-Lagos; he was Chairman, Nigeria Newsprint Manufacturing Company (NNMC) Oku Iboku in Akwa Ibom State; Chairman, Obudu Cattle Ranch and Member, Lions Club International.
Brig G. G. A. Ally passed away on 5th September, 1997 at the age 57 and was buried in his ancestral home where he was born (Ukwortung-Utugwang, in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State).
Ogoja area deserves to be a state. And the demand for the creation of Ogoja state has been outstanding. The area is landlocked like many areas in Nigeria and too far from Calabar the state capital. On a good road, the trip from Ojoja to Calabar will take at least seven hours. It is even closer to Makurdi, the Benue state capital.
Obudu cattle ranch is situated in Ogoja which is a tourist attraction and consist of many tribal units. These includes Ishibori (this village has different clans such as Uhmuria, Ikaptang, Ikajor, Ishinyema, Ikariku, Imerakorm) and Igoli as the central town.
Mbube, being one of the major tribes, comprises different villages, including: Odajie, Ekumtak, Idum, Ojerim, Egbe, Ogberia Ogang & Ogberia Ochoro, Oboso, Benkpe, Edide, Bansan, Aragban, Nkim, etc. Their major source of livelihood is subsistence agriculture, basically farming of cassava, yams, palm oil, palm wine etc.
Ekajuk is one of the major clans in Ogoja Local government area. It is divided into Ward I and Ward II, and includes major communities such as Nwang, Ekpogrinya, Esham, Egbong, Nnang, Ewinimba and Bansara (which are collection of a group of villages).
The demand for states creation and restructuring should be part of the agenda of the next President of Nigeria. The first task will be to amend the Constitution, so that these issues will be better handled than the tight grip in the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions introduced by the military.
The 1979 Constitution made adequate provision for steps to be taken before states could be created. They are contained in Section 274 of the suspended Constitution. The same provisions are contained in Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution. Let’s face it, these provisions are insurmountable hurdles and they have been exploited since 1999, by the political class, especially by those who have occupied the positions of Deputy Senate President and deputy Speaker of the house of Representatives for financial gains.
All that should be done by the next elected President is to amend the Constitution so as to lower these hurdles that have made it impossible for states to be created and restructuring equally impossible and other issues. That should be the task of the next President of Nigeria.
Eric Teniola, a former director at the Presidency wrote from Lagos.