Otti Applauded for Bold Stand on State Creation Debate, Clarifies Position on South East Demand

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, is drawing widespread commendation for his bold and pragmatic stance on the sensitive issue of state creation in Nigeria.

During a recent constitution review meeting in Owerri—jointly held for stakeholders from Imo and Abia States—Governor Otti warned against the blanket creation of additional states without addressing the economic fragility of many existing ones.

He described the push as a distraction and a dangerous expansion of an already flawed structure. According to Otti, “We may be laying the foundation for further division and dichotomy that could impact our body polity negatively, especially at a time we should be saddled with the responsibility of trying to navigate through our economic challenges as a nation.”

The governor’s remarks quickly gained national attention, with Punch Newspaper publishing an editorial on July 31, 2025, that praised his position as a mark of leadership. “This is leadership! This is courage! Other Nigerian leaders must follow this example,” the paper stated.

However, Otti’s comments were also misinterpreted in some quarters as a rejection of the long-standing call for the creation of a sixth state in the South East—currently the only geopolitical zone with five states.

To clear the air, Otti’s media aide, Ferdinand Ekeoma, issued a detailed clarification. He affirmed that the governor is not opposed to the South East getting an additional state to correct the regional imbalance. Instead, his opposition is to a wholesale state creation exercise across the country, especially in regions already bloated with underperforming and economically unviable states.

“Governor Otti’s position over the years on the creation of additional states in Nigeria hasn’t changed and will not change,” Ekeoma stated. “His position is that the country doesn’t require additional states, especially when most of the already existing ones lack the viability for economic self-sustainability.”

Otti, who has written extensively on governance and reform, has long advocated for a six-regional structure that would reduce the cost of governance while improving economic performance.

Still, he recognizes the need for equity, hence his support for a sixth state in the South East to balance the national structure. Ekeoma added, “One geopolitical zone in the North has as much as seven states, while others have six each, except the South East that has five. There could be an additional state for the South East to balance the disequilibrium, but not across the six geopolitical zones.”

Governor Otti’s stand continues to stir public conversation, with many analysts agreeing that Nigeria’s real need is not more states but more functional ones. His comments come at a crucial moment when the country is undertaking a review of its 1999 Constitution, and as calls for restructuring gain fresh momentum nationwide.