It is interesting to note that till date, it was only under military administrations that new states were successfully created in Nigeria. This was largely because by virtue of their strict discipline, inability to conduct wide consultations on critical matters of national importance and rule by decrees, military administrations practically forced new states on the citizens who then had no option but to accept them. Now, total number of states in Nigeria is 36 with Abuja being federal capital.
Why is it that since then the bagful of spirited agitations or requests from certain parts of the country for new states have failed? Is it not worrisome that since the military handed over rein of government to democratically-elected administration of former military Head of State, President Olusegun Obasanjo till date, new states have not been created? Why was it possible for such feat to be achieved under military regimes while attempts to do so under civilian administrations have always hit the rock? Is it that politicians cannot put their acts together to create new states or that conditions for state creation as contained in the constitution are burdensome and complicated? Even these notwithstanding, is it wise or desirable to create more states when 25 of the existing 36 have at several occasions been reported to be insolvent? This is why many of them are continuously heavily indebted to workers, retirees and pensioners. It is no surprise that years after N18,000.00 was approved by government as national minimum wage for workers, many state governments are yet to comply. Already, many state governors – old and new, as well as the federal government are still dragging their feet over implementation of the new N30,000.00 national minimum wage months after President Buhari had signed the bill into law. Less than 10 of the 36 states can conveniently survive monthly without the periodic allocations from the Federation Account that their Governors and Commissioners of Finance countrywide, delightfully troop to Abuja to collect every month. If most of the 36 states could be in visibly dire economic predicaments, will the situation not be more severe if additional states are created?
However, I recall that Osun State was one of the states created some years back by military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd). I remember vividly and with profound nostalgia that late highly revered traditional ruler, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, played unforgettable foremost role in ensuring the creation of Osun State. It was one of his life-time dreams and this finally came to fruition with the unflinching support he received from Babangida who also had profound respect for him. However, I am not sure if the deceased who was a globally reputable wealthy businessman-turned-traditional ruler of immense influence ever requested that IBB should make his legendary domain – Ile-Ife, the capital as against Osogbo which is Osun State capital. Well, Osun has been waxing strong in development of critical sectors since it was created. Those that fate has so far made to pilot affairs of the state include Chief Bisi Akande, late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
The sitting Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, whose victory in the keenly contested September 22, 2018 election was challenged in court by Senator Ademola Adeleke is now sure of remaining in office till 2022 in the first instance, following recent Supreme Court’s judgment confirming him undisputable winner. This piece was informed majorly, by unusual uniqueness in names of the Governor, the Deputy Governor and the Head of Service in the same cabinet. They are Gboyega Oyetola, Gboyega Alabi and Gboyega Oyebode, respectively. This is how Gboyegas currently prominently hold sway in Osun.
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