Nigeria Content Online

The Senate president, David Mark, has expressed support for the
creation of additional states in the country.

Mr. Mark, while speaking to airport reporters at the
presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, on his way to
Abuja, after the conferment of a chieftaincy title on him from Egbaland in
Abeokuta, Ogun State, disclosed that the creation of more states enhances
proximity between the leaders and the led.

“I think truly that the agitation for state creation is an
agitation to bring governance nearer to the people. That is what it means in
effect,” he said at the weekend.

“Could you have imagined what the situation could have been if
Lagos was not created out of the old Western Region, or if we didn’t have more
states in Nigeria?” He asked.

Admitting that there are states in the country that are not as
productive compared to some others, the Senator said that the need for more
states outweighs arguments of a particular state’s viability.

“I know the argument is there are states now that don’t appear
viable, but that itself is not enough argument to stop the agitation for state
creation,” he said.

The public will decide
number

On the number of additional states to be created, Mr. Mark
disclosed that Nigerians will decide on the number of states required for the
country, adding that an open dialogue on the issue will be conducted.

“It is the will of the people. You know, we are going to subject
this to public discussion and at the end of it, we will gather opinion and see
where the preponderance of the opinion swings to,” he said.

Mr. Mark, however, disclosed that the media, the general public,
and the National Assembly have a role to play in the creation for additional
states.

“It depends on you; for the media has a critical role to play.
The public and parliamentarian have a role to play. We all have something at
stake and if we play our part, everything will be alright,” he said.