Former Nigeria’s head of state, Yakubu Gowon who presided over Nigeria’s 1967-1970 Biafra-Nigeria civil war has revealed that his intention for creating twelve states from the Nigeria’s six regions was to prevent one ethnicity from dominating the others.
The former head of state made the revelation when he was visited by a delegation of League of Northern Democrats led by Senator Ibrahim Shakarau at the Yakubu Gowon centre, Abuja.
While speaking, Gowon applauded the delegation for championing a course that do not only benefit the Northern Nigeria but aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s national unity.
He explained that he has always supported ideas and movements that aim to promote Nigeria’s national unity. According to him, such an interest was why he created twelve states from the six regions to prevent one ethnic group from dominating the national affairs.
“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, in its current state, focuses on national unity”.
“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,” he said.