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The Igbo Leaders of Thought have proposed a major overhaul of Nigeria’s political structure, calling for the country to move from its current 36-state arrangement to a 10-region system with greater powers devolved from the Federal Government.
The group also wants the 2027 general elections temporarily suspended to allow the restructuring process to be completed before Nigerians return to the polls under a new constitutional and political framework.
The position was contained in a document titled “Igbo Position on the Restructuring of Nigeria,” issued as the group rejected the outcome of the restructuring conference held in Abuja on August 20, 2026.
Among its proposals is the creation of a wider Igbo region comprising the five South-East states—Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo—alongside prospective Anioma, Rivers State and Igbo-speaking communities in parts of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Edo and Kogi states.
The leaders said restructuring should go beyond administrative changes, arguing that Nigeria’s political difficulties require a fundamental review of the country’s federal arrangement. They traced some of the challenges to the 1914 amalgamation and argued for a political system that gives greater recognition to Nigeria’s various ethnic and regional interests.
On the 2027 elections, the group proposed that the restructuring exercise should be concluded before May 2027, with the elections placed on hold temporarily and later conducted according to the outcome of the process.
The ILT also advocated regional autonomy, resource control and the establishment of regional police. Under its proposed model, regions would exercise greater authority over natural resources and contribute an agreed share of their revenue to the central government.
The group further backed the right of ethnic nationalities to determine their political future and suggested the use of regional or nationwide referendums in deciding the country’s future political arrangement.
It also called for the unconditional release and rehabilitation of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and his associates, describing the demand as important for rebuilding trust in discussions on Nigeria’s political future.
The proposals add to the wider debate over constitutional reform, devolution of powers, regional autonomy and the structure of Nigeria’s federation as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
