Kano with 20 million people deserves additional 4 states -Buhari’s ex-aide

A former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has called for the division of Kano State into five separate states, citing its rapidly growing population, which he claims is nearing 20 million.

Ahmad made this suggestion on Thursday through a post on his verified Facebook page while reacting to the National Assembly’s ongoing consideration of proposals to create 31 new states across Nigeria.

“With the National Assembly’s proposal to create 31 new states in Nigeria, I strongly believe Kano, with its population nearing 20 million, deserves to be split into at least five states for better governance, development, and equitable resource distribution,” Ahmad wrote.

His statement comes after the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution confirmed it had received 31 state creation proposals from various parts of the country. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu read a letter from the committee during Thursday’s plenary session, outlining the conditions required for the approval of new states.

The proposals span Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones:

North Central: Okun, Okura, Confluence (Kogi); Benue Ala, Apa (Benue); FCT State.

North East: Amana (Adamawa); Katagum (Bauchi); Savannah (Borno); Muri (Taraba).

North West: New Kaduna, Gurara (Kaduna); Tiga, Ari (Kano); Kainji (Kebbi).

South East: Etiti, Orashi (as the 6th state), Adada (Enugu), Orlu, Aba

South South: Ogoja (Cross River); Warri (Delta); Ori, Obolo (Rivers)

South West: Torumbe (Ondo); Ibadan (Oyo); Lagoon (Lagos); Ijebu (Ogun); Oke Ogun/Ijesha (Oyo/Ogun/Osun).

The process for state creation, as outlined by the National Assembly, involves several constitutional requirements, including the support of two-thirds of the affected populations, state assemblies, and the National Assembly itself.