Tinubu can create local governments, but once he creates states, there’ll be problems–Elijah Ayodele

Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has issued a fresh warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, cautioning him against approving the creation of new states in Nigeria.

The cleric, known for his regular prophetic messages, explained that while the establishment of more local governments could bring development closer to the grassroots, creating new states would bring serious challenges that could destabilize the country.
Ayodele stressed that state creation is usually driven by political and ethnic interests rather than the genuine needs of citizens. According to him, giving in to such demands could create crises that would weaken Tinubu’s government.
“You can create local governments, but once you create states, there’ll be problems,” Ayodele declared. He pointed out that Nigeria’s real issue is not the number of states but the inability of existing structures to properly manage resources and serve the people.

The cleric warned that approving new states could lead to fresh boundary disputes, deepen ethnic rivalries, and place a heavier burden on the country’s already fragile federal system. He noted that the focus should instead be on improving governance and strengthening weak institutions.
Ayodele advised President Tinubu to concentrate on tackling insecurity, consolidating local government administration, and stabilizing existing structures.
He cautioned that failure to heed this advice could have negative effects on the administration, particularly as the nation moves closer to the 2027 elections.
The question of creating new states has been a recurring debate in Nigeria for decades, with many groups demanding autonomy and recognition. However, successive governments have largely avoided the issue, citing financial difficulties and the risk of instability.He stressed that wisdom and caution are needed in handling such sensitive matters.

According to him, the best way forward for the Tinubu administration is to focus on stability and reforms that strengthen governance instead of introducing policies that may worsen existing challenges.
He concluded by urging the president to act with care, saying: “Use wisdom, seek stability, and avoid policies that will create more problems than solutions.”