Having each geopolitical region constituting the Nigeria nation fairly represented in the federal government is sound, but comes with several unwanted baggage.

Would Nigeria be better off with fewer states and a more compact government? Akin, a Nigerian blogger, thinks so. Some excerpts:

Too many pools very few talent pools

In fact, I would rather we had the original 12 States such that the pool of talent can be better gathered, but the tendency to tribalism and unidentifiable clans would almost always get in the way, because there are still some that believe that a job is best filled with sycophants and through nepotism rather than by merit.

Certain thugs who think they are leaders want to be able control the bodies they have put in these posts such that they can exact undue pressure and obtain favours in gratitude for endorsing under-qualified people who by rights should never be in those positions and they, the appointees know it.

But mostly there is this chauvinistic, Barbarian tendency for the power-brokers to wield political influence – there has to be chest-beating that ends with the ultimate putdown – I put you in your position you must respect me. It is a completely corrupt enterprise.

On web: Nigeria: Removing influence from selecting the cabinet