Editorial
The issue of another State for the Southeast, Nigeria, has been on the front burner for a long time. The agitations for another State in the geopolitical zone has,infact,remained ceaseless. The Southeast zone,as of today, remains the zone with the least number of States in Nigeria – five.
Political analysts from the Southeast zone are upbeat that the demand for an additional State in Nigeria’s Southeast geopolitical zone can not be extinguished. They insist that the demand is definitely still alive and that, in fact, it is gaining some fresh momentum.
As it is, the issue is that right now, the matter of creation of another State for the Southeast zone is cardinal in the constitutional amendment agenda of the National Assembly. The core of this agitation really boils down to a desire for equity and fair representation.
However,this agitation is not a new conversation; the clamour for more States has been a recurring theme in national debates, but recent activities in the National Assembly show a renewed push. The Federal House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review has actually received 46 separate proposals for new States across Nigeria, and among them are some from the Southeast.
Specifically for the Southeast, there are proposals for States like Anim, Anioma,Etiti,Orlu,and Adada.Each of these has its own group of proponents arguing for its viability and desirability. For example, Adada is often cited as one of the oldest demands for State creation in the region, with its advocates highlighting its large landmass and cultural homogeneity.
The proposed Etiti State is another strong contender, with arguments that it would be economically and politically viable by drawing from all five existing Southeast States. Some even suggest that its creation could boost regional security by curbing inter-state criminality. Then there is also the Orlu and Anim States, which have also passed its second reading in the House of Representatives, aiming to carve out parts of existing States in the region.
The push for Anioma State, which would be created from parts of Delta State, is equally quite significant, with some arguing for its inclusion in the Southeast to balance the number of states. However, there is some debate around whether Anioma should be considered part of the Southeast or a separate entity, with some stakeholders urging caution to avoid disunity within the Igbo community.
As it stands,the legislative process is definitely moving forward, with several bills seeking to alter the 1999 Constitution to create these new States, having passed their second reading in the House of Representatives. This is a major early hurdle, showing that these proposals are being taken seriously.
It is instructive to point out that the path to creating a new State is intentionally difficult, requiring a lengthy constitutional amendment process, broad political and public support, and even a referendum . So, while the proposals are alive, actual creation is far from guaranteed.
There is also a broader discussion about the financial implications. Nigeria is already facing revenue shortages and a high cost of governance, and critics argue that creating more States could worsen administrative costs and dilute governance capacity, especially when many existing States struggle to pay salaries.
Some Igbo leaders and stakeholders view the extensive proposals for 31 new States across the country as a “ploy to scuttle legitimate demand” for just one additional State in the Southeast zone.They argue that this broad approach might overshadow their specific, long-standing request for equity.
Nigerian Horn agrees with the position of Igbo leaders and stakeholders. The demand for another Southeast State is very much alive, driven by a strong desire for equitable representation and development. While the legislative wheels are turning, the journey is complex, involving not just political will but also economic viability, constitutional hurdles, and the need for broad consensus.
We strongly recommend that the National Assembly should ensure a realistic actualisation of the Southeast geopolitical zone’s demand. The idea of turning the Southeast demand for another State into an annual rhetoric before the National Assembly should stop. Southeast zone deserves equity, justice,fairness, and creating another State for the zone is a reasonable demand,which its time has come.
