Nigeria, Feb. 10 -- Many Nigerians experience a sharp increase in the racing of their hearts whenever the question turns on the creation of new states. Could it really happen? Can Nigeria have more than the 36 states it has had since 1999?

These questions have always engaged the mind of keen political observers and even the not so keen. Can names like Muri, Katagum, Okun and Apa suddenly become washed in the milk of statehood in Nigeria? It is not impossible, even if it seems more improbable by the day.

One of the reasons it doesn't appear like it will happen anytime soon is that almost every Nigerian seems to want a state. If the floodgates are opened, every community, no matter how remote, may just want to become a state.

The House o...