Former Nigerian Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (retd) has explained the rationale behind the creation of 12 states during his administration.
Gowon stated that the move was intended to reduce regional tensions and address fears of northern domination within the federation.
He shared this while receiving a delegation from the Senator Ibrahim Shekarau-led League of Northern Democrats at the Yakubu Gowon Centre in Abuja.
“It was for this reason that I supported the creation of multiple states, to prevent any one region from becoming too powerful and threatening the country’s unity,” Gowon said.
He also urged Northern elites to focus on issues that benefit Nigeria as a whole, discouraging regionalism.
“My position has always been that whatever the north does must serve the greater interest of Nigeria. From your speech, I understand that this is your intention—to ensure the north focuses on national unity,” he stated.
Gowon further highlighted the North’s role in promoting democracy and unity, drawing on the example of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
“I firmly believe that maintaining Nigeria’s true democracy rests on the north, and Baba Tafawa Balewa embodied this ideal,” he said.
The League of Northern Democrats visited Gowon to seek advice on advancing the region’s interests in line with national unity.
General Gowon, who led Nigeria from 1966 to 1975, implemented reforms such as the state-creation exercise to stabilize the country during a critical period.
