Advocacy groups in Nigeria’s North-East are demanding four new states to address historical injustices.
They argue the move will restore equity and fulfil promises made during the 1961 plebiscite.
Some advocacy groups from Nigeria’s North-East region have renewed calls for the creation of four additional states Savannah, Amana, Katagum, and Muri during a zonal public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution.
The two-day hearing, which began on Friday in Maiduguri, Borno State, saw spirited presentations from representatives of the proposed states. According to them, the new states would be carved out from existing ones: Savannah from Borno, Amana from Adamawa and parts of Borno, Katagum from Bauchi, and Muri from Taraba.
Ahmad Sajor, Director of Media and Publicity for the Amana State Movement, said in a statement that the demand stems from a long-standing desire to address perceived historical marginalization. He specifically referenced the people of Adamawa and the Uba Chiefdom in Borno, who, according to him, were promised a distinct status upon joining Nigeria following the 1961 United Nations plebiscite.
“There is a breach of trust on the part of the Nigerian nation,” Sajor stated. “When the area opted to join Nigeria in 1961, the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and other leaders received them with assurances that the region would be treated as an equal province or state, and that Mubi would stand on the same footing as other regional capitals like Kano and Ilorin.”
He argued that the creation of Amana State would help rectify the unfulfilled promises and restore the region’s rightful place in the federation.
Other groups in attendance carried placards and wore branded shirts, urging the National Assembly to consider their requests during the constitutional amendment process.
A supporter of the Katagum State Movement said that the demand was both reasonable and long overdue.
“We are not asking for too much,” the supporter said anonymously. “We simply want Katagum State. We have confidence in the current National Assembly and believe our voices will be heard.”
The public hearing drew key stakeholders and political figures from the region, including the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Usman Kadafur, who represented Governor Babagana Zulum; senators from Borno’s three senatorial districts; former Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi; and traditional leaders such as the Shehu of Borno.
