ABSTRACT
Nigeria, since 1952, had been used, at the centre and for the most part in the regions, to solid majorities in the legislatures, supporting without question the Prime Minister or Premier and his ministers. They had also experienced over thirteen years of military rule under which, reasonably enlightened though it was, any systematic criticism of the federal or state governments could be dangerous. The creation of new states was a crucial issue at the Constituent Assembly. Demand for division of the existing states into smaller ones has become a major feature in Nigerian civilian politics, cutting across parties. For politicians of all parties, however, the creation of new States has great attractions. Many Nigerian administrators maintain that Nigeria can neither finance nor staff new state administrations, particularly as it was only in 1976 that the number of states was increased from twelve to nineteen.
