CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK A Speech given to the House of Representatives, Lagos, on 14th January, 1960. As I have said before, our manifest goal on this issue is that more and more States, based on ethnic or linguistic affinity, should be created in Nigeria until each of the ethnic or linguistic groups in our diverse community enjoys political self-determination within the Federation. Until this ideal is realised, until this goal is reached, consenting minorities can always be constituted into a separate State, as Government now wants to do in the Mid-West Region.
In determining whether a particular State should be created or not, regard should of course, be had, among other factors, to financial and administrative viability. I am fully convinced that each of the 11 States proposed in this Amendment is viable. ON THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL TO CREATE MID WEST STATE, CHIEF AWOLOWO MADE THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTION IN PARLIAMENT.
I rise to oppose the Second Reading of this Bill and, on very good grounds. I am astonished that the Government continues to tread the path of stubborn inequity in this matter. I do not wish to repeat the argument which has been constantly urged in this Hon.
House against the creation of the Mid-West Region unless certain conditions are satisfied. Buy may I say this, that the Prime Minister himself did say here on a previous occasion, and he has reaffirmed that statement this morning, that after the creation of this State (the Mid West Region), no othe.
