Renowned public affairs commentator and media entrepreneur, Atunyota Akpobome, widely known as Alibaba, has sparked a conversation on the structural reorganization of Nigeria’s states, suggesting that several of them ought to be reclassified as local government areas. Speaking on Channels Television’s “Sunrise Daily” program, Alibaba provided a critique on the creation and sustainability of some states in Nigeria, attributing their existence to political appeasement during military regimes rather than economic viability or administrative necessity.
Alibaba pointed out that the genesis of some states was closely tied to the military’s desire to placate certain commanders, who were subsequently made administrators of these newly formed states. He highlighted the financial dependency of these states on the federal government, noting that their inability to generate sufficient revenue independently should relegate them to the status of local government areas. This assertion touches on the broader issues of state sustainability and resource management within the country.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s evolution from three regions at independence in 1960 to its current structure of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alibaba criticized the military’s approach to state creation between 1967 and 1996. He argued that this expansion, while seemingly providing balance, did not consider the long-term financial autonomy or developmental capacity of these states.
The comedian and social commentator also discussed the impact of centralizing resources, referring to the federal military government’s decision to pool regional and state funds into the national purse. This system, according to Alibaba, has contributed to the multifaceted challenges Nigeria faces today, including the contentious Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) system, which redistributes national revenues to states and local governments.
Alibaba’s critique extends to the 1999 Constitution, which was introduced during Nigeria’s transition from military to democratic governance. He implied that the constitution, conceived under the military regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), laid the groundwork for some of the structural and fiscal issues currently plaguing the country.
Alibaba’s comments have reignited discussions on the need for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s geopolitical structure and fiscal federalism model. His views suggest a move towards more economically sustainable and administratively efficient units, potentially leading to a more decentralized and development-oriented governance model for Nigeria.
