A bill proposing the creation of a new state in Nigeria’s southeast passed its first hurdle in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
The law seeks to create a new nation from the states of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Anambra in the region.
This development comes amid long-standing calls for increased state formation in the Southeast region, which currently has five states – the fewest among all geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
Supporters of the bill argue that the new state will bring fairer representation and development opportunities to the region.
The bill proposes amending Nigeria’s constitution to accommodate the new state. It reportedly outlines Orlu as the proposed capital and details the local government areas to be included.
The bill is sponsored by five members of the House of Representatives, namely Amobi Ogah, Miriam Onuoha, Kama Nkemkama, Chinwe Nnabuife, and Anayo Onwuegbu.
When formed, Etiti State will have 11 local government areas drawn from five states with the capital located at Lokpanta.
The bill seeks to amend three sections of the 1999 constitution, deleting word 36 and replacing it with 37 to accommodate the new state and inserting the word Etiti, right after Enugu in the list of states listed in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The bill also seeks to change the list of local government areas by state and move 11 local government areas from their current states to new states.
The local governments that would be affected if the state were created are Isuikwuato and Umu-Nneochi (Abia), Orumba North and Orumba South (Anambra), Ivo and Ohaozara (Ebonyi), Aninri, Awgu and Oji River (Enugu) and Okigwe and Onuimo (Imo).
While passing the first reading is a first step, the bill still has a long way to go. It must now undergo further scrutiny and debate in the House of Representatives before moving on to a second reading and vote. Even if it makes it there, the bill will need further approval from the Senate and passage by a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly.
The proposed statehood has drawn mixed reactions. While some in the Southeast see it as a positive step to address regional imbalances, others have expressed concerns about its feasibility and potential economic impact. The debate is likely to heat up in the coming weeks as the legislative process moves forward.
Hope for new states in Southeast as bill passes first reading first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.
