. Sponsors Say It Will Bring Southeast In Line With Other Zones
ABUJA – The Nigerian’s House of Representatives on Thursday, passed for second reading a bill proposing the creation of Etiti State from the current five states in the South East.
The proposed new state would encompass 11 existing local government areas from the region.
EXPOSED!! POPULAR ABUJA DOCTOR REVEALED HOW MEN CAN NATURALLY AND PERMANENTLY CURE POOR ERECTION,QUICK EJACULATION, SMALL AND SHAMEFUL MANHOOD WITHOUT SIDE EFFECTS. EVEN IF YOU ARE HYPERTENSIVE OR DIABETIC ..STOP THE USE OF HARD DRUG FOR SEX!! IT KILLS!
Leading the debate, one of the bill’s sponsors, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, emphasized that the creation of the state would bring the Southeast in line with other zones of the country.
The proposed new state would encompass 11 existing Local Government’ Areas from the Region.
The co-sponsors of the bill include Hon. Miriam O. Onuoha, Hon. Kama Nkemkama, Hon. Princess C. Nnabuife, and Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu.
Ogah highlighted that while other Regions in the Country boast six states, and the North West even has seven, the South East remains the only Zone with five states.
According to him, “It’s widely acknowledged that the Southeast region, comprising only five states—Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo—contrasts sharply with other regions in Nigeria, many of which have six or more states. This disparity has sparked ongoing discussions and calls for reconfiguration.”
Advertisement
“The creation of Etiti State marks a proactive initiative aimed at bringing the region in line with the structural framework of its five sister states across the country. This long overdue step is pivotal in promoting equitable representation, improving governance efficiency, and fostering socio-economic development within the region.
“Let us bear in mind that the Southeast, with its rich cultural heritage and strategic economic potential, deserves a governance framework that optimally serves its diverse communities.
“The creation of Etiti State will facilitate more targeted development initiatives, better resource allocation, and improved service delivery to the people.”
He said the Bill seeks to address a longstanding issue of regional parity and administrative efficiency within the Southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria, adding that it proposes an alteration to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to accommodate the creation of Etiti State, thereby increasing the number of states in the south-east geopolitical zone to six.
He said: “The establishment of Etiti State is not just a matter of administrative convenience but a step towards ensuring balanced regional development and effective governance. It responds to the aspirations of the people of a very important region in this country and aligns with the principles of equity and inclusivity enshrined in our democratic ideals.
The Bill proposes specific alterations to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, such as the amendment of Section 3(1) to increase the number of states from thirty-six to thirty-seven by inserting “Etiti” immediately after “Enugu”.
The bill is also seeking consequential alterations in the First Schedule, Part I, which includes — Carving out Isuikwuato and Umunneochi LGAs from Abia; Orumba North and Orumba South LGAs from Anambra; Ivo and Ohaozara LGAs from Ebonyi; Aninri, Awgu and Oji River LGAs from Enugu; and Okigwe and Onuimo LGAs from Imo States to form the new Etiti State; and designation of Lokpanta as the capital city of Etiti State.
“He emphasized that the establishment of Etiti State presents a distinct opportunity to reinforce our federal structure, empower our communities, and promote national unity.”
