General Yakubu Gowon (retd), a former head of state and elder statesman, has given an explanation for his support of the establishment of 12 states in Nigeria during his tenure.

According to Gowon, the reasoning was intended to reduce tension and eliminate the concern that other federation components might subjugate the north.

When a team from the League of Northern Democrats, led by Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, made him a courtesy call at the Yakubu Gowon Center in Abuja, he said as much.
In order to better serve the interests of Nigeria as a whole, the elder statesman also urged Northern elites to come to an agreement on some topics.

As I have always stated, I am adamant that the north bears the primary responsibility for preserving Nigeria’s genuine democracy, and Baba Tafawa Balewa personified this principle.

“I would also like to add that I hope your visit is not just about going back to the old ways of thinking, where the north comes first, the west comes first, and the east comes first—until, of course, the Mid-West came to think for itself.

“I have always maintained that the interests of Nigeria as a whole must come first in everything the north does. I gather from your statement that you want to make sure the north, as it stands, prioritizes national unity.

In order to keep any one area from growing too strong and endangering the unity of the nation, he stated, “I supported the creation of multiple states for this reason.”

Gowon served as president from 1966 to 1975.