Joint Committee on Constitution Review of both the Senate and the House of Representatives has given its nod to the creation of an additional state in Nigeria’s South-East region — a move aimed at addressing the long-standing complaints of marginalisation in the nation’s political framework.
If eventually ratified, the South-East will have six states, aligning it more closely with other geopolitical zones.
The decision emerged from a two-day retreat of the Committee held in Lagos between October 24 and 25.
The session according to Channels TV was presided over by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, alongside Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who co-chaired the proceedings.
The Committee’s deliberations revisited the long-running demand for a sixth state in the region — a cause Kalu has consistently advocated, describing it as a matter rooted in “equity, justice, and fairness.”
In addition to the South-East proposal, the Committee examined over 55 submissions from across the country seeking the creation of new states.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Senator Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West) commended the development, calling it “a right step in the right direction.” He added that the move would go a long way in easing sentiments of exclusion felt in the region.
“The most important of all the approvals that we have gotten is that we have agreed today to give an additional state to the South-East to balance it six-six states per geo-political zone regardless of the North-West that has seven states,” Izunaso said.
He further revealed that a sub-committee has been established to work out the modalities for creating additional states in other deserving areas.
“An additional state for the South-East is a major achievement of this final retreat of the National Assembly Constitution Review Committee,” he added.
On security matters, the senator noted that the Committee decided to suspend discussions on the proposed establishment of state police for now. Instead, a new team has been tasked with reviewing demands related to state policing and local government administration, expected to present its findings within two weeks.
