February 23, (THEWILL) – A Professor of Law at Benue State University, Makurdi, David Ikoni, has observed that the move by the House of Representatives to create new states is a mere political gimmick.
The Professor of Environmental Law, who appeared on Radio Benue’s personality programme ‘View Point’ in Makurdi on Saturday, noted that there are conditions spelled out in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) regarding state creation.
He argued that the move is a political strategy being employed by the committee of the lower chamber of the National Assembly for campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The legal expert emphasised that aside from the constitutional challenges, the proposed new states do not have the economic viability to stand on their own. He stressed that what is important is for the federal and state governments to strengthen states economically rather than splitting them.
On the tax reform bill, Ikoni said the federal government has the right to forward an executive bill to the National Assembly. He observed that the bill was initially misconstrued, which was the reason for the opposition it faced.
