New 31 States Will Cripple Nigeria’s Economy – Alex Otti
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has cautioned against the proposed creation of 31 new states in Nigeria, warning that such a move would place a heavy financial burden on the country.
Speaking through his Deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, at the South-East Zonal Constitution Review session for Abia and Imo States in Owerri 2025, Otti emphasized that while the constitution review offers a critical opportunity to reshape Nigeria’s governance, adding more states would worsen the country’s economic challenges.
He acknowledged the sentiments behind the push for new states mainly aimed at addressing marginalisation but stressed that the cost of establishing and running additional states would deepen the strain on national resources and further inflate Nigeria’s already oversized bureaucracy.
Otti called on citizens of Abia and Imo, regardless of political differences, to actively engage in the constitutional amendment process, adding that although he holds firm views on several issues, he respects others’ rights to differing opinions.
