The bill to create another state in the South-East region has passed a second reading in the House of Representatives.
It seeks to create Etiti state from the five South-Eastern states and was sponsored by Amobi Ogah (LP, Abia), Miriam Onuoha (APC, Imo), Kama Nkemkama (LP, Ebonyi), Chinwe Nnabuife (YPP, Anambra), and Anayo Onwuegbu (LP, Enugu).
Ogah said the bill is meant to address the decades-long issue of regional parity and administrative efficiency in the South-East zone. It seeks to create the state from Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, and Enugu.
During plenary on Thursday, the bill was passed for the next stage without debate by the lawmakers.
When the Speaker of the House Abbas Tajudeen put the bill to a voice vote, the lawmakers voted in support.
The speaker thereafter referred the bill to the Committee on Constitution Review for further work.
Battles ahead
Thursday’s development is part of efforts for the creation of another state in the South-East which has the fewest number of states – five.
Except for the North-West which has seven states, other regions in the country – South-West, South-South; North-East, and North-Central have six states each.
But the bill has to contend with another one sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo), aiming to create Orlu State.
Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP, Delta) is also considering sponsoring a bill to create the Anioma State from the present Delta State (in South-South) which will be added to the South-East region.
