Creation of Additional States: What Governor Alex Otti Really Said - Full Position Revealed

...."Nigeria does not need more states, but the South-East deserves a sixth for equityÔÇØ - Gov. Otti's response to viral misrepresentation

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has responded firmly to what he described as a mischievous and diversionary campaign misrepresenting his stance on the creation of additional states in Nigeria, particularly in the South-East geopolitical zone.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, on Sunday, July 20, 2025, the Governor made it clear that his position has been consistent over the years - Nigeria does not need more states, but a sixth state should be created in the South-East to correct an existing imbalance.

Otti's Longstanding Standpoint: Regionalism Over State Proliferation

According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti has long argued that the economic structure of the country cannot support the creation of more states, especially when many existing ones are financially unsustainable and heavily dependent on federal allocations.

His recommendation, instead, has always been for Nigeria to adopt a six-regional structure, which he believes would reduce the cost of governance, enhance economic coordination, and foster stronger regional development, drawing inspiration from Nigeria's First Republic.

"The M.I. Okparas and Sam Mbakwes of this world did not wait for the creation of tiny enclaves called states before making the generational impacts they made. They governed vast territories and still achieved prosperity,ÔÇØ the statement noted.

Equity for the South-East

Despite his stance against widespread state creation, Governor Alex Otti acknowledged the constitutional and political imbalance that has left the South-East as the only zone with five states, while others have six and the North-West has seven.

To this end, he maintained that adding one state to the South-East is reasonable and necessary to ensure fair representation in national institutions like the National Assembly and Federal Executive Council.

Warning Against Political Selfishness

Governor Alex Otti cautioned stakeholders and public officeholders to avoid pursuing state creation as a selfish political project, noting that short-term political gains often come at the expense of long-term national interest.

"Creating additional states without first laying a solid economic foundation is a dangerous distraction from our real developmental challenges,ÔÇØ the statement added.

Clarification Amid Ongoing Constitution Review

The clarification comes at a time when the National Assembly's Constitution Review Committee, led by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is engaging stakeholders across the country on proposals including state creation, restructuring, and decentralization.

The Governor's statement aims to set the record straight, urging the public to ignore distorted narratives and focus on constructive engagement driven by equity, economic viability, and national unity.