Calls Grow For Creation Of Four New States In North East Nigeria

Demands for the creation of four new states in Nigeria’s North East region took center stage at a constitutional review hearing in Maiduguri on Friday.

Various advocacy groups pushed for the establishment of Savannah State from Borno, Amana State from Adamawa, Katagum State from Bauchi, and Muri State from Taraba.

The groups made their presentations at the two-day public hearing focused on reviewing the 1999 Constitution. The event, held in the Borno State capital, drew attention from traditional rulers, lawmakers, and political leaders from across the zone.

One of the more vocal campaigns came from the Amana State Movement, which seeks to carve a new state out of parts of Adamawa and Uba Chiefdom in Borno. The group’s spokesperson, Ahmad Sajor, said their demand is rooted in a long-standing sense of betrayal. He recalled that in 1961, the region willingly voted to join Nigeria through a United Nations-organised plebiscite. At the time, national leaders had assured the people that the area would retain its identity and political significance, with Mubi serving as a capital on par with other major cities.

Sajor argued that those promises were never fulfilled. Instead of being treated as a separate political entity, the region was gradually absorbed without clear status, leading to what he described as decades of political neglect. For the movement, creating Amana State is not just a political demand but an effort to correct what they see as a historical wrong.

Other groups made their presence felt through placards and branded clothing carrying messages in support of state creation. One member of the Katagum State movement, speaking anonymously, said the people had been hopeful for decades. He expressed strong belief that the current National Assembly would support their bid.

Participants at the hearing included top government figures and traditional authorities from the region. The Governor of Borno State, represented by his deputy Usman Kadafur, joined federal lawmakers from the state, including senators representing Borno Central, South, and North. Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi also attended, alongside the Shehu of Borno and other influential voices.

For many attendees, the creation of new states is not just a political ambition but a way to bring governance closer to the people, promote development, and address decades of imbalance. They argue that the North East is due for more political subdivisions to meet the region’s population needs and improve administrative efficiency.

As constitutional debates continue nationwide, the growing call for new states in the North East adds to the wider national conversation about fairness, representation, and restructuring. Whether these demands will translate into legislative action now rests with the National Assembly and the broader political will across the country.