Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Review of the Constitution’s Southeast Zone, has called for a constitutional amendment to eliminate local governments as the third tier of government in Nigeria.
He suggests that states should instead have full authority to establish and manage their own councils.
Speaking on Arise TV’s morning program on Tuesday, Senator Nwebonyi argued that the current system promotes inequality and hampers grassroots development.
He highlighted the uneven distribution of local government areas (LGAs) across states as a source of tension, pointing out that Kano State has over 40 LGAs while Bayelsa has only eight, and Ebonyi 13.
“This imbalance fuels continuous grievances and slows progress,” he said. “It’s time we shift control from local governments directly to the states, who can be held accountable for council development.”
Nwebonyi also outlined the constitutional process for creating new states, involving a formal request, a referendum with at least two-thirds approval by residents, and consent from the State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, and the President.
He revealed that 61 state creation requests have been submitted nationwide, with many coming from the Southeast region, including proposals for Adada, Aba, Anim, and Anioma states.
Addressing concerns that the Anioma State proponents were excluded during public hearings, the senator assured that all voices were heard.
He emphasized that the success of any new state depends more on effective leadership than natural resources alone, urging Nigerians to take active roles in driving positive change.
