The National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review has approved the creation of an additional state in the South East, increasing the region’s total to six.
TheHintsNews reports that the decision to create an additional state in the region was reached during a two-day retreat in Lagos.
The session, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, and co-chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
Checks revealed that Kalu and other lawmakers from the region had consistently championed the demand for an additional state for the region, saying the request was anchored on principles of equity, justice, and fairness.
At the moment, the South East has five states fewer than the six or seven that make up other geopolitical zones.
Jibrin while addressing newsmen on Sunday in Lagos said the committee reviewed 55 proposals for state creation across the country.
Members of the Committee who unanimously approved the request later took turns to deliberate on the issue spoke in favour of granting the South East an additional state.
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.
Meanwhile, the joint committee has also established a sub-committee to further consider the creation of additional states and local government areas across all six geopolitical zones, noting that a total of 278 proposals were submitted for review.
Jibrin urged members to rally support among their colleagues at the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly to ensure the resolutions sail through during voting.
His words: “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.”