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Nigerians React to Reps 31 New States’ Proposal▪︎It’s Ridiculous- Afenifere, ACF
Turning every local government into a state is not the solution to Nigeria’s governance challenges.
The House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee’s proposed creation of 31 additional states besides the country’s 36 existing states has sparked widespread reactions from prominent Nigerians and groups across the country.
The proposal was contained in a letter to the House of Representatives read during Thursday’s plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session in the absence of the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.
However, the proposal was rejected by the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, and its northern counterpart, the Arewa Consultative Forum, which described it as ridiculous.
Reacting, the National Organising Secretary of Afenifere, Abagun Kole Omololu, said: “Instead of addressing the core structural issues plaguing Nigeria, this initiative appears to be a mere political exercise that will further weaken governance and deepen economic inefficiencies.’’
Omololu noted, “The creation of more states without a viable economic foundation will only compound the financial burden on the nation, as many existing states are already struggling to generate sufficient Internally Generated Revenue and rely heavily on federal allocations to survive.
‘’Turning every local government into a state is not the solution to Nigeria’s governance challenges.
The real issue is not the number of states but the dysfunctional federal structure that has concentrated power at the centre, stifling regional development.’
’ Instead of proliferating states that may later be unviable, Afenifere urged the National Assembly to focus on constitutional reforms that would devolve power, return resource control to the regions, and grant states the autonomy to develop at their own pace.
On its part, the Arewa Consultative Forum similarly expressed strong opposition to the proposed creation of 31 new states, describing the idea as unnecessary.
The National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Prof Tukur Muhammad-Baba, stated that the forum was not in support of the proposed creation of new states, citing the country’s complexity and the potential for creating more problems.
According to him, the more states created, the more demands that will emerge, leading to more acrimonies.
He questioned the economic viability of the existing 36 states, highlighting the administrative burdens and overhead costs associated with governorship and civil service.
The ACF spokesperson, emphasised that creating new states would be too expensive and unnecessary, and would only provide opportunities for the elite to assume leadership positions without necessarily improving the economic viability of the states.
He said, “We have not seen the details of the proposed states, but it’s ridiculous. How long are we going to be creating states and creating problems in this country?
“How many of the 36 states are viable economically? How many of the states can carry the administrative burdens of governorship and all it takes – the civil service and the amount of expenditure on overhead?
News
DSS Fails to produce El-Rufai in court today
This, therefore, prompted the judge to adjourn the matter till April 23 for the arraignment.
The arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over alleged cybercrime and national security breach has been shifted to April 23 after the Department of State Services (DSS) failed to produce him in court this morning at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
During the resumed proceeding, the prosecutor, Oluwole Aladejoye informed Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the defendant was still in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission ICPC where he is under investigation for alleged misappropriation of funds.
This therefore prompted the judge to adjourn the matter till April 23 for the arraignment.
The ex-governor is facing three counts for unlawfully intercepting (or admitting to intercepting with associates) the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu’s phone communications — violating the Cybercrimes Act.
He is also accused of using technical systems to compromise public safety/national security and instilling apprehension, an action that is in breach of the Nigerian Communications Act.
The charges arise from Mallam El-Rufai’s February 13 interview on Arise News, where he claimed knowledge of intercepted phone communications of the National Security Adviser allegedly used to learn of a planned arrest attempt against him.
News
Who was behind Peter Obi’s Assassination Attempt: Was it the APC or within ADC?
Odigie-Oyegun warned that the development could trigger chaos if not checked.“I am afraid that our leaders, both at the centre and in this state, are playing with fire. The consequences could be terrible, much more than any of you expect.
Photo: John Odigie-Oyegun, and Peter Obi
Edo State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kennedy Odion, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of having masterminded yesterday’s assassination attempt on Peter Obi Gregory, however, Edo State Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, attributed the violence to an internal crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) party.
Peter Obi paid a courtesy visit to the former Governor of Edo State, John Odigie-Oyegun- the national Chairman of ADC, when they were attacked by gunmen at Oyegun’s residence in Benin City.
Odion, said : ” We heard APC was coming to attack us. We quickly cut short the event and ended the programme at the Secretariat.
A few minutes after we ended, we heard that thugs stormed the venue. They injured three people… After they scattered the place, they came to Oyegun’s house where we were having another meeting.
All the vehicles parked outside were destroyed…”, said Odion.
On the other hand, Adegbua emphasised : “The crisis has been ongoing. Even yesterday, we had to use the police to quell the crisis… What happened was just the height of it.”
On allegations that Governor Monday Okpebholo had earlier warned Obi against visiting Edo without permission, Afegbua said: “If Peter Obi had informed the governor that he was coming, what happened today would not have happened. The governor would have provided security for him… Thank God nothing happened to Peter Obi.”
Commenting on the attack on his home, Oyegun, said: “We had a guest… the former governor of Anambra and one of the prominent leaders of the ADC, from all indications, an aspirant – former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and the LP Edo 2024 governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata into the party,.
“The government here had threatened that if Obi came to Edo State without permission, his security could not be guaranteed.
He was paying a courtesy visit to me and bullets started raining all over the place… When did we degenerate to that kind of level?”
Odigie-Oyegun warned that the development could trigger chaos if not checked.“I am afraid that our leaders, both at the centre and in this state, are playing with fire. The consequences could be terrible, much more than any of you expect,” he said.
Obi said that no sooner than the leaders of the ADC party had received former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and the LP Edo 2024 governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata into the party, than gunmen attacked the facility at Ogbelaka Street, Off Sokponba Road, Benin City, and the residence of the party’s National Leader, Odigie-Oyegun.
Obi, narrating his ordeal, declared: “It is time to speak up. It is time those in government act. They are not going to be there forever. What they allowed to happen in the country today will take its revenge on all of us and the country.”
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, who arrived in an unmarked Sienna bus and on a motorcycle, fired several gunshots and vandalised party property, including chairs, canopies and banners. Some members reportedly sustained injuries.
Not satisfied, the assailants reportedly proceeded to the residence of Odigie-Oyegun on Reservation Road, where more gunshots were heard and vehicles parked near the gate were riddled with bullets. A video circulating online showed damaged vehicles and a gate perforated with bullet holes.
In the video, Obi said: “This is a former governor of the state(Odigie-Oyegun). You can see what happened in front of his house where hoodlums came, shooting.Look at the gate, see the bullet holes at the gate, several cars damaged. That is where our democracy has reached.”
National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, alleged that the attackers trailed the leaders from the secretariat.
“The leadership of the ADC is under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State. Armed individuals followed us from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of John Odigie-Oyegun and shot at the gate, destroying several vehicles,” he said.
News
What you need to know about Tunji Disu
Olatunji Rilwan Disu (commonly known as Tunji Disu) is a senior Nigerian police officer who was appointed as the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) of the Nigeria Police Force on February 24, 2026, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This followed the resignation of the previous IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, who cited family considerations. Disu’s appointment is acting pending formal review by the Nigeria Police Council and confirmation by the Nigerian Senate, as required under the Police Act.
Early Life and Education
– Born: April 13, 1966, on Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria (currently 59 years old; he turns 60 in April 2026).
– Education: – Bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lagos State University (LASU).
– Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations and Strategic Studies (also from LASU).
– Master’s degree in Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State.
– Master’s degree in Criminology, Security, and Legal Psychology from LASU.
– He completed primary education at schools like Mayflower Junior School (Ogun State) and secondary at St. Gregory’s College, Lagos.
Professional Career
Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) after training at the Nigeria Police Academy, Kaduna.
He has over 33 years of service, rising through various operational and leadership roles.
Key positions and achievements include:
– Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in multiple locations.
– Officer-in-Charge of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) units.
– Leadership in anti-kidnapping squads and state Criminal Investigation Departments.
– Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos, where he focused on urban crime reduction.
– Head of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) for high-profile operations.
– Commissioner of Police in Rivers State (led operations against violent cult groups) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
– Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos (assumed this role around early 2026; promoted to AIG in March 2025).
– Specialized training in forensics, criminal intelligence, internet fraud (including at University of Cambridge), small arms smuggling (Botswana), and strategic leadership (Police Staff College, Jos).
He is recognized for intelligence-led policing, discipline, anti-corruption stance, and community-oriented approaches.
Personal Interests and Achievements
Disu is a decorated judoka (third dan black belt), having started practicing in 1986 during his time at LASU. He won multiple gold medals at national and police games, plus a silver at other competitions.
Recent Appointment Context
The appointment came amid Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges. It has sparked discussions on seniority (bypassing some more senior officers like DIG Frank Mba), federal character, and timing (Disu is close to the mandatory retirement age of 60 or 35 years of service).
Some view it as strategic for pre-2027 election security preparations, while others debate merit versus other factors. President Tinubu expressed confidence in Disu’s experience to provide steady leadership.
Overall, Tunji Disu is regarded as a seasoned, professional officer with a strong track record in field operations, investigations, and command roles. His tenure as acting IGP is expected to focus on enhancing police efficiency and addressing national security priorities.
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