Constitution review panel approves extra state for South-East

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review has given its backing to the creation of an additional state in Nigeria’s South-East region — a move aimed at addressing long-standing concerns over fairness and equity in the country’s geopolitical structure.

If approved, the South-East will join the South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-East zones in having six states each. At present, the region consists of five states: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

The resolution was reached during a two-day retreat in Lagos on Saturday, where members of the committee considered 55 proposals for state creation nationwide. The session was chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, serving as co-chair.

In its communiqué, the committee said the decision was made “in the spirit of fairness and equity,” urging the Federal Government to establish an additional state for the region.

Kalu, who has been at the forefront of the campaign for an extra state in the South-East, said the development would give the people “a sense of belonging.”

A statement issued by the media unit of the joint committee confirmed that lawmakers voted unanimously in support of the motion.

“Following the deliberations, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) moved a motion for the creation of the new state, which was seconded by Hon Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun State).

“The motion received the unanimous support of committee members and was adopted,” the statement read in part.

The committee also set up a sub-committee to review requests for additional states and local government areas across all six geopolitical zones. According to the statement, 278 proposals were submitted for consideration.

Speaking at the retreat, Jibrin called on lawmakers to rally support from their colleagues in both chambers of the National Assembly and from state assemblies to ensure the proposals succeed when presented for voting.

“We need to strengthen what we have started so that all parts of the country will key into this process.

“By the time we get to the actual voting, we should already have the buy-in of all stakeholders—from both chambers and the State Houses of Assembly,” the Deputy Senate President said.