Political Economy of the State Creation in Nigeria: Rivers and Bayelsa State as a Case Study

Abstract

On October 1, 1960 when Nigeria gained independence from Britain, it had a tripodal regional structure. These were the Northern, Eastern and Western regions. Since then, the internal composition has been changed six times starting in 1963 when the Mid-Western Region was carved out from the Western Region. In 1967, there was the first military-mediated state creation exercise when 12 states were created out of the then four regions. Subsequent state creation exercises increased the number to 19 in 1976, 21 in 1987, 30 in 1991 and the current 36-state structure in 1996. Reasons advanced for the creation of new states have varied with time. In the early years of the nation-state, demands were motivated by the need to allay fears of the domination of ethnic minorities by the majority ethnic groups. Further demands were fuelled by the attempt to redress the imbalance in the federal structure; ensuring rapid economic development among ethnic groups; equity and fair play; bringing government closer to the people and for political stability. The changing reasons given at the different times states have been created, indications to the fact that there are other underlying reasons not mentioned. The study has shown that the dominant reasons also include economic factors, which are the decisive formative influences on social life. The elite clamour for the creation of additional states for the economic gains derivable from such access. The often advanced reason of bringing development to the people has begun to raise doubts as most states only wait for federal allocations, most of which they use for recurrent expenditures, thereby leaving the areas undeveloped. This is why today, many of the 36 states cannot provide all the essential amenities for socio-economic stability of their states. Observers of the nation's growth and development therefore watch with rapt attention the justification behind the several exercises carried out on the number of states created between 1967 to 1996. To stem the tide to further agitations, good governance has been identified as the primary panacea. Good governance here is taken to mean adhering to the constitutionally provided federal character principle in making appointments and distribution of amenities.