OKPE UNION URGES CAUTION ON STATE CREATION PLAN
· Reaffirms Support for 30-State Federal Structure
The Okpe Union has called for a restructured Nigerian federalism that emphasizes true devolution of legislative and governmental powers to the component units. This, the Union believes, is essential for achieving effective governance and national development.
Speaking in a State of the Union Address on Friday, the President-General of the Okpe Union, Prof. Igho Natufe, stressed the need for the creation of state police to address the growing security challenges in many parts of the country.
Prof. Natufe revealed that the Union is working closely with other indigenous ethnic nationalities and national organizations—including the Movement for National Reformation (MNR)—to chart a new course aimed at restoring genuine federalism and good governance in Nigeria.
“Okpe is one of over 400 indigenous ethnic nationalities that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These nationalities, including Okpe, are the true federating units of the country. As such, we believe Okpe has an inalienable right to participate in shaping the future of Nigeria,” he said.
The Union advocated for the creation of homogeneous federating states for the 15 most populous ethnic nationalities with clearly defined contiguous boundaries. These would include states for the Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Kanuri, Ibibio, Okpe, Tiv, among others.
In addition, the Union proposed the establishment of up to 15 heterogeneous (multi-ethnic) federating states to accommodate the remaining ethnic nationalities.
It further recommended that ethnic nationalities within a heterogeneous state that occupy clearly defined contiguous boundaries should be granted autonomous regional status, with constitutional powers to govern their internal affairs. These regions would share jurisdiction over natural resources located in their territory with the broader state, while retaining exclusive control over areas such as primary and secondary education, culture, language, and traditional institutions.
The Union also emphasized the importance of transparency in the forthcoming national population census. It urged the Federal Government to ensure that the exercise is conducted using the best available technology to prevent manipulation or politicization.
“The credibility of past population censuses has been questioned due to political interference. We call on the Federal Government to adopt globally accepted standards and technologies to ensure that the outcome of the forthcoming census commands the confidence of all Nigerians,” the Union concluded.
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