Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti has warned that the creation of an additional 31 states in Nigeria, as sought by various ethnic nationalities during the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution, would impose a significant economic burden on the country. Speaking on the matter, Otti stressed that such an expansion could strain national resources and suggested exploring alternative governance structures instead of expanding the number of states.
Governor Otti’s caution comes amid rising calls by various interest groups advocating for more states to address ethnic demands and promote local autonomy. However, he argues that while the desire for greater political representation is understandable, the financial and administrative implications of creating so many new states could be detrimental to Nigeria’s economy.
He urged policymakers and stakeholders involved in the constitutional review to carefully consider the long-term economic impacts before committing to such a major restructuring. Advocating for more efficient governance practices, Otti emphasized that resource management and service delivery might be better improved through reforms rather than increasing the number of states.
His position reflects concerns held by some experts and political leaders who fear that rapid state creation could dilute federal revenues, increase recurrent expenditures, and complicate governance without necessarily delivering expected development outcomes.
As Nigeria continues its constitutional review process, the debate over the creation of new states remains a contentious issue, with economic sustainability at the center of the discussion. Governor Otti’s intervention adds a pragmatic voice calling for caution and strategic planning in balancing ethnic representation with national economic stability.
