By Yinka Giwa
The agitation for the creation of additional states dominated discussions at the public hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, with advocates citing development, equity, and security as key motivations for their demands.
These proposals were tabled at the North-West Centre A Zonal Public Hearing of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), held on Saturday and Sunday in Kano.
Proponents called for the creation of Bayajidda and Karaduwa States from Katsina State; Tiga and Ghari from Kano State; Gurara and New Kaduna from Kaduna State; and Hadeja from Jigawa State.
Additionally, fresh demands for the creation of Kainji and Gobir States were presented during the North-West Centre B Public Hearing in Sokoto, further amplifying the call for grassroots governance and administrative justice.
The proposed Kainji State would be carved out of Kebbi and Niger States, while Gobir State is envisioned to emerge from the eastern axis of Sokoto State.
Advancing the case for Kainji State, retired AVM Sallau Bala, National President of the Zuru Emirate Development Society, described the agitation as a historic quest driven by colonial-era boundary misalignments that fragmented Borgu, Kontagora, and Zuru Emirates.
Bala argued that unifying the three emirates under a single state structure would restore their shared identity, cultural bonds, and geographical logic, facilitating inclusive growth.
“The proposed Kainji State boasts common historical experiences, geographical contiguity, cultural affinity, economic viability, and strong potential for sustainable peace and development,” he said.
Bala noted that Kainji State would command a population of about 3.4 million—larger than that of over ten existing states—and cover a land area of 47,395 square kilometres, ranking it among Nigeria’s five largest states.
Despite the area’s religious and ethnic diversity, Bala stressed that its people share a deep sense of unity, bolstered by a collective vision for development and progress.
“We have unanimously resolved to form a single entity in the hope of fast-tracking development and significantly improving the quality of life for our people,” he declared.
Similarly, Prof. Mu’azu Shamaki, Secretary of the Gobir Development Association, presented a compelling argument for the creation of Gobir State, which would comprise eight local government areas from eastern Sokoto.
Shamaki said Gobir, with an estimated population of 3.5 million, is rich in human capital and natural resources, including expansive water bodies like the Goronyo and Lugu Dams, and the Bunsuru River, which could revolutionise agriculture and industry.
He emphasised that the defunct Gobir Kingdom has a rich history that predates the Shehu Danfodiyo Jihad and has the potential to become a hub of economic vibrancy and cultural renaissance.
“The area has suffered years of neglect, with many communities lacking electricity and facing growing insecurity. Creating Gobir State will bring governance closer to the people, improve infrastructure, and create a safer, more prosperous environment,” he stated.
Shamaki concluded that establishing Gobir State would not only accelerate local development but also provide a stronger sense of political inclusion and belonging to its people.
Speaking for the Kainji State Movement, Ahmed Musa Ibeto echoed similar sentiments, explaining that the proposed state would unite the Zuru Emirate in Kebbi with the Kontagora and Borgu Emirates in Niger, reviving administrative linkages dating back to 1902.
Ibeto estimated that Kainji State would house approximately 2.2 million people and cover 36,800 square kilometres, positioning it among the ten largest states in Nigeria.
He added that creating Kainji would address deep-rooted security challenges, while promoting justice, equity, and fair representation for its people within the national structure.
Mark Jacob, a representative of the Gurara State agitation group, told the Senate Committee that their proposal adhered to Section 8 of the Constitution, with the required endorsements from the Governor, State Assembly members, and stakeholders.
Jacob said Gurara possesses vast deposits of ginger, columbite, and other solid minerals, which, if harnessed, could boost the region’s self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on federal allocations.
He argued that creating Gurara State would enhance peace, drive economic growth, and bring governance closer to communities across Northern and Southern Kaduna.
Similarly, proponents of Karaduwa State proposed the creation of an administrative entity comprising 11 local government areas, with room for further expansion as development demands grow.
They highlighted Karaduwa’s vast agricultural potential and stressed that a new state would enhance political inclusion, infrastructure development, and improve overall living standards for residents.
The agitators insisted that the creation of new states remains essential to correcting administrative imbalances, addressing security challenges, and accelerating development across the grassroots.
The hearings were chaired by Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who leads the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.
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