By Samson Adeyanju
Legislators pushing for new states through the National Assembly have been cautioned against misleading their constituents with hollow promises.
Public affairs analyst Taiwo Adisa has called out lawmakers for bypassing constitutional requirements in their quest for state creation, labeling such actions as deceptive populism.
Adisa emphasized that Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution demands a rigorous process, including two-thirds majority support in local and national assemblies, referenda in affected areas, and widespread national consensus.
However, recent submissions of state creation bills in the House of Representatives have ignored these provisions.
“Passing a state creation bill through first reading isn’t an achievement; it’s a mere mention.
Without compliance with the Constitution, these bills are doomed to fail,” Adisa remarked.
He described such moves as political theatrics designed to win temporary praise rather than deliver results.
Reflecting on past attempts in the 6th, 7th, and 8th Assemblies, Adisa noted that none succeeded due to the complex legal and procedural hurdles.
He urged lawmakers to focus on advocacy, consensus-building, and genuine efforts to unite stakeholders rather than chasing populist agendas.
As state creation debates persist, Nigerians are urged to scrutinize their representatives’ actions, ensuring they prioritize governance over political gamesmanship.
