The Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch, Mr Rafiu Balogun, has urged the Federal Government to create more local government councils to meet the people's yearnings.

Balogun made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ilorin.

He said the call for the creation of more states in some quarters was based on "selfish motives," adding that this would not bring development to the country.

"We need more local government areas in Nigeria if we must develop and meet the yearnings of the people.

"The dividends of democracy lie in the large number of local government councils that will effectively take care of the interest of the people.

"The agitation for their scrapping is uncalled for; in fact, we need them more than states," he said.

The NBA chief, however, advised government to check the excesses local government executives, saying "If local government is well structured, it will meet the expectations of the people."