?Says lawmakers recommended new states just to keep Nigerians ?busy while the economy worsens?

By IKENNA OSUOHA

A former Chairman of the defunct ANPP in Imo, Prof Vitalis Orikeze-Ajumbe, has expressed doubt over the possibility of states? creation under a civilian rule.

Orikeze-Ajumbe said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

NAN reports that the House of Representatives had, on Thursday, said it had received proposals for creation of 31 more states in Nigeria.

Orikeze-Ajumbe said that the rigorous processes, as enshrined in the constitution, might impede state creation under any civilian rule.

Rather than pursuing states? creation which might not be feasible, the elder statesman advised the lawmakers to invest their energy and time on how to revive Nigeria?s dwindling economy.

?It will be very difficult for new states to be created in Nigeria by a civilian government.

?They (lawmakers) are just keeping us busy while the economy worsens. The process of creating states in Nigeria is rigorous and this may make it impossible,? he said.

Orikeze-Ajumbe, however, expressed his strong belief in creation of more states in the country ?for an equitable federation?. (NAN)