State Creation: The Place of The South-East

Last week, the Federal House of Representatives in adopting the reports of its adhoc committee on the amendment of the constitution, foreclosed the issue of state creation.

The news sent ripples to various segments of the society especially within the different blocks that had erupted in a surging agitation for states creation. Just as the issue swirls, it becomes imperative to understand which side the brunt of this decision affects in actuality.

The clamor for state creation as could be vividly remembered by the writer started to receive sustained publicity in the course of the Obasanjo-instituted National Political Reform Confab of 2005; though the  string could go beyond that. In that conference which had virtually all  sections of the nation visibly represented, the South-east in an apparent move for state equanimity unanimously made a clear statement for an additional state. Though the conference never had the will to realise this poignant issue just as with the many others proposed, it was unchallenged.

Then, with the issue of a constitutional review coming up, the stage  was once again opened; the agitation for states creation resurfaced with reinforced explosion. This time around, the south-east having different interest groups jostling to fill the supposed lacuna, was not the sole seeker. It was joined by all the other zones; with even the north-east that takes the lead with seven states also making their demands.

But a look at the scenario that played out would stir up some questions amongst which are: Why is the south-east with the least state demanding for an addition? Why are the other zones of which the disadvantaged zone is aiming to meet also craving for more? And why the sporadic explosion in these demands for states. It is pertinent to have a  critical review of these posers as to reach a judicious response that would seek to unravel the discretion or otherwise in the decision of the  House of Reps at completely slamming the door behind state creation.

In the light of the first question, it will do a lot good in helping  to get all elucidated of the rationale behind the request if a look at the effects of the imbalance in the political cum economic survival of the lagers is taken. The overall consequence of this inequality is undisputablly devastating with the prospects for more if left unattended to.

For the fourteen years running into the new democratic dispensation,  this lacuna has caused the denial of the south-east the monthly allocations from the federation’s account for a state, amounting to the tune of about four hundred and twenty billion naira (N420bn); not to mention its shares of the excess crude account. When one considers the impacts in developmental and other economical strides this staggering amount would have caused, a great sense of pity would be a minor expression for the grievous injustice meted to this short-changed region.

What more could be adduced for the apparent deprivations the people of the south-east has suffered in both political and governmental affairs especially when ‘federal character’ has formed the basis of virtually all sectoral engagements. In both elective and appointed positions, the effects remain pronounced; giving re-echoed impetus for the urgent redress of this marginalization. Hence, it is only an insensitive and a beclouded institution that would not realise that this  call for equity in the creation of a state in the south-east is non-negotiable.

When the other zones became obsessively involved in the hot potato, it was highly ridiculous. It was laughable because it goes to highlight their sense of greed and stale desire to continue holding the south-east  under the pangs of marginalisation and political irrelevance. For what else could explain their flaming desires for more states when the south-east, it is certain is seeking to leverage the imbalance. They, it  is clear are bent on continuing the lead by sustaining the imbalance and hence the political dominance.

We’re are in a democratic era, which focuses on majority. And the question is on how the plight of this zone could be projected to a triumphant approval in the decision-making bodies, when it suffers numerically in both chambers of the National Assembly and in the Executive. It continues to highlight the often dismissed sentiment building amongst the citizens of the zone of their rejection and marginalization; a reflection of their second-class citizenship. It is a  smack on the growth and sustainability of democracy which is anchored on true federalism in this country.

The widespread calls for states creation which sprang could, arguably be inferred to be calculated put-ups to find a means to drown the rightful yearning of the south-east for equality in states, to give the supposed powers that be a leaning to hide their non-readiness to grant this. It is a calculated ploy to discredit the demand by the south-east and it seemed to have worked.

Consequently, the decision of the lower house of parliament on this topic is called to question. Exculpating totally state creation is synonymous to throwing away the baby with the bath water; it is making the south-east the clear scape goat. If the issue should be set aside, it would not be fair to have that of the south-east included. The events of time have justified the undeniableness of their demand.

Therefore, the south-east needs at least a state and it is the duty of the National Assembly to use this opportunity provided in reviewing the constitution to see that this is done. As failure to do this amounts to injustice!

Ahanonu Kingsley,
Rob Ekwem  Crescent,Owerri.
(07038106683)