Fresh information has emerged following the approval by the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Constitutional Review for the creation of an additional state in Nigeria’s South-East region.
Reliable sources within the legislature revealed that the proposal, which has been under quiet discussion for several months, has now secured committee approval, marking a potential milestone in Nigeria’s political restructuring.
According to documents obtained by reporters, the proposed new South-East state may be named Etiti State, with Hon. Amaobi Ogah sponsoring the bill in the House of Representatives.
In the Senate, Senator Ned Nwoko is backing a related proposal to create Anioma State from Delta North.
The move has generated cautious optimism among South-Eastern leaders, many of whom have long advocated for an additional state to bring the region on par with others that currently have six states each.
The draft proposal suggests that Etiti State would be carved from local government areas across Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu States, including:
- Imo State: Okigwe, Onuimo, Isiala Mbano, Ehime Mbano, Obowo, Ihitte/Uboma, Ideato North
- Abia State: Isuikwuato, Umunneochi
- Ebonyi State: Onicha, Ohaozara, Ivo
- Anambra State: Orumba North, Orumba South
- Enugu State: Awgu, Oji River, Aninri
Meanwhile, the Anioma State proposal in the Senate aims to unite the following Delta North LGAs: Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, and Ukwuani.
The proposals will now move to plenary sessions in both chambers of the National Assembly for consideration and voting before proceeding to the respective state Houses of Assembly as part of the constitutional amendment process.
