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The recent call for the creation of additional three states in the South West by the House of Representatives member representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State, Mr. Oluwole Oke, has re-ignited the arguments for and against the creation of more states in Nigeria.
While some have argued that available empirical records do not support creating more states, others are saying that it would bring about more development.
There are those who insist that there is nothing wrong in creating one additional state in the South East.
The proponents of this argument believe that an additional state for the South East would ensure justice, equity and fairness, as it remains the only zone in Nigeria with five states, while others have six, and even seven for the North West.
Yet, there are those who believe that the only panacea to end agitation for more states creation agitation is to revisit the 2014 confab report, which they believe, takes care of all the concerns and fears of every zone in Nigeria.
Since Nigeria adopted the zonal structure, with three zones in the north and three in the south, the South East appears to have been the weeping child.
That is largely because while the other five zones of the South West, South-South, North Central, North East and North West, have at least six states, with the exception of the North West, which has seven states, the South East has been left with only five states.
This situation, according to the Southeasterners, has adversely affected the zone in representation in the national assembly, and in terms of federal allocation, as the zone also has the least number of local governments.
One of the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference during the Goodluck Jonathan presidency was to create additional 18 states, three for each zone, after an additional one state must have been created for the South East to bring it at par with the other zones, with the exception of the North West.