A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mohamed Ndarani, has said that the exclusion of Edu state from the list of proposed new states is a sign of the continuation of the marginalisation of the Nupe people in Nigeria.
Ndarani asserted at a press conference in Abuja in reaction to the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee’s proposed creation of 31 additional states.
He said that the proposal does not reflect President Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of fairness, equity, and justice, adding that the creation of an Edu State will serve the interests of the long-marginalised Nupe people.
He frowned at the idea that the creation of the Edu state from the present Niger state, with its vast landmass and natural resources, was not mentioned as one of the proposed new states.
The senior lawyer said that Niger state has everything it takes to sustain an additional state which was the reason behind the desire for the creation of Edu State.
“Niger State’s geographical mass is unquestionably more than that of the entire Southeast and equal to that of the Southwest. It is vast and has a variety of solid minerals.
“The proposed Edu state is a prospective oil-producing state and would be a viable and developed state with a capital in Bida,’’ he said.
Ndarani noted that Niger remained the only state from which a new state has not been created, adding that Edu state would comprise various groups from the present Niger, Kogi, and Kwara states.
“Our national assembly members of Nupe originate from Kwara, Niger, and Kogi states, and the FCT should not fail to lend their support to the creation of the Edu state.
“Such a position will be registered by the people of their respective communities as a colossal failure.
“The original request for Edu state was presented to the National Assembly in September 2022 by a delegation of Nupe elders, leaders and representatives from Bida, Agaie and Lapai emirates.
“The request clearly meets with the provisions of section 8 subsections 1, 2 and 3 of the 1999 constitution (as amended), which form part of the best proposal, but was shortchanged by self-centred people and enemies of Nupe land’’.
He stressed that they were motivated by the economic viability of the proposed state and the endorsement by the 2014 national conference.
“The conference recommended the creation of an Edu state; however, on the list released by the House of Representatives of states to be created, Edu state was missing.
“It should be noted that any attempt by the National Assembly to exclude a genuine proposal like Edu state will be challenged in the court of law’’.
He said the agitation for creating additional states in Nigeria had been a sustained discussion, with proponents arguing that it would promote effective governance and development.
“It will spread development across the area and help bring the much-touted dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the average citizen.
“It will also create more new jobs and ensure more rapid and even development of rural and urban areas while enhancing the citizens’ living standards.
“Looking at the history of the creation of states, it has been an exercise that has brought about development; it has also brought government closer to the people,’’ he said.
