States indebted to IBB

About 12 states of the federation are indebted to former Nigerian Head of State, retired General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), who on August 27, 1991, brought them into existence. Apparently, as the 12 states, which cut across the northern and southern regions, marked their 30^th anniversary on Friday, August 27, 2021, they owe special tributes to the man that made their creation possible in his leadership framework to make the governance of the country more effective and efficient in service delivery and socio-economic development.

The 12 states that fell under the second phase of state creation by IBB on August 27, 1991, include Abia State, Adamawa State, Anambra State (from where Enugu was separated), Delta State, Edo State, Enugu State,

Jigawa State separated from Kano State, Kebbi State separated from Sokoto State, Kogi State separated from Kwara and Benue states, Osun State, created from Oyo State, Taraba State from Gongola State and Yobe State from Borno State.

IBB had earlier on September 23, 1987, created Akwa Ibom State from Cross River, and Katsina State from Kaduna.

IBB in his political reform in which he introduced a two party system, also introduced the presidential system into Nigeria’s local government administration.

The emergent states have benefitted immensely from the policy of widening opportunities for new leaders in the new states, operating in a relatively smaller territory. They have also had the benefit of rising turnout of governors, commissioners, lawmakers, ministers, and other political opportunities in their respective states. More so, the derivation of allocations from the federation account has boosted the financing of development projects and other infrastructures within their jurisdiction. They also have a fair share of the national population statistics.

Invariably, their anniversary can seldom be complete without reference to IBB.