Nigeria is drowning in crises; rising insecurity, economic instability, poor infrastructure, and a cost of living crisis that has left millions struggling to survive. Yet, amidst all these pressing challenges, what is the focus of the National Assembly? State creation. Instead of tackling the issues that directly impact the lives of Nigerians, they are busy deliberating on adding more states, a move that reeks of political self-interest rather than national progress.

This is the same pattern we have seen before. They told us we needed to change the national anthem, as if that would fix anything. They have prioritized discussions on trivial constitutional amendments, while policies that could truly transform the country remain ignored.

Now, they are pushing for the creation of new states, not because it would benefit the people, but because it offers them new political and economic advantages. More states mean more governors, more lawmakers, more bureaucracies, and ultimately, more opportunities for embezzlement.

Who Does This Benefit?

The argument for state creation has always been framed around “regional balance” and “development,” but let’s be honest; this is nothing but a political power play. The North has historically had more states than the South due to its larger landmass and population spread. Now, some in the South argue that they deserve more states to even the numbers, while others in the North push for further divisions in their regions to maintain dominance.

But who truly benefits from this? Certainly not the average Nigerian who is struggling with rising food prices, unemployment, or lack of basic amenities. The only ones who stand to gain are the politicians and elites who see new states as an opportunity to expand their influence, secure more federal allocations, and create more positions for themselves and their allies.

A Nation That Ignores Its Problems

Nigeria does not need more states. What we need is for the existing states to function properly. What good is creating new states when the ones we have are failing? Many states cannot even generate enough internal revenue to pay salaries without federal allocations. Some governors have abandoned governance altogether, focusing on personal wealth accumulation while their people suffer. The insecurity in the North, the economic struggles in the South, and the general collapse of public services affect every Nigerian, yet our lawmakers believe state creation is the priority.

This is not patriotism. This is selfishness. The Nigerian National Pledge says:

“To serve Nigeria with all my strength,
To defend her unity, and uphold her honor and glory.”

Where is the honor in this? Where is the patriotism in wasting time and resources on political distractions while Nigerians are suffering? A truly patriotic government would focus on fixing the problems we already have before creating new political structures. They would ensure security, invest in education, provide basic healthcare, and develop infrastructure that supports economic growth. Instead, they continue to sweep these real issues under the carpet, choosing to debate unnecessary distractions while the country bleeds.

Enough is Enough

Nigerians must wake up and demand better. We cannot continue to let politicians dictate the national agenda based on their selfish interests. If they truly care about the people, let them focus on security, on poverty reduction, on fixing the economy. Let them stop diverting attention from real issues with meaningless political games.

State creation will not put food on anyone’s table. It will not end banditry. It will not reduce inflation. It will not create jobs. If anything, it will deepen the political and economic divide, giving corrupt leaders more access to resources while everyday Nigerians continue to suffer.

This is not governance. This is a joke. And Nigerians are tired of it

Nigeria’s National Assembly and the Politics of Distraction

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