The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has strongly opposed a proposed bill seeking to convert 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) into Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Lagos State, calling it unfair and detrimental to national unity .
In a statement released on Thursday, the National President of NYCN, Isah Abubakar, criticized the bill, which was passed for a second reading by the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Abubakar argued that the move disproportionately benefits Lagos State at the expense of other regions, threatening equity and fairness in governance.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), if the bill successfully navigates the legislative process, Lagos State will see an increase in its LGAs from 20 to 57. This change would raise the total number of local governments in Nigeria from 774 to 811.
Abubakar warned that such a move could lead to fragmentation and national division. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of local governance structures to ensure equitable representation across all states.
The NYCN president urged governors, particularly those from the northern region, to actively oppose the bill. He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to promoting national unity, equity, and fairness and called on lawmakers to carefully reconsider the broader implications of the proposed legislation.
