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The Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review has sanctioned the establishment of an additional state in the South-East to address the enduring agitation regarding the region’s perceived marginalization in the national political framework.
This resolution was made during the committee's two-day retreat held in Lagos from October 24 to 25.
The committee, led by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and co-chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, engaged in extensive discussions about the long-standing request for a sixth state in the region.
Furthermore, the committee examined a comprehensive proposal for constitutional amendments, which included 55 distinct requests for new states across the federation.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, committee member Senator Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West) characterized the decision as “a significant step in the right direction,” emphasizing that it would help alleviate the longstanding feelings of marginalization in the South-East.
“The most crucial of all the approvals we have received is our agreement today to grant an additional state to the South-East, ensuring an equal distribution of six states per geopolitical zone, irrespective of the North-West, which has seven states.
“We have established another committee to explore the modalities for creating additional states in areas that require them. These are the accomplishments we have achieved today. An additional state for the South-East is a significant milestone from this final retreat of the National Assembly Constitution Review Committee,” he stated.
