The bill to create a new state within Nigeria’s South-East region advances as it passes the second reading in the House of Assembly.
The House of Representatives passed the bill for the establishment of Etiti State from the amalgamation of Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, and Enugu states, Sponsored by Amobi Ogah (LP, Abia), Miriam Onuoha (APC, Imo), Kama Nkemkama (LP, Ebonyi), Chinwe Nnabuife (YPP, Anambra), and Anayo Onwuegbu (LP, Enugu).
The bill aims to address decades-long issues of regional parity and administrative efficiency.
During Thursday’s plenary session, lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to advance the bill to the next legislative stage without debate, following a voice vote called by the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen.
The bill has now been referred to the Committee on Constitution Review for further scrutiny and recommendations. The proposed creation of Etiti State comes amidst a broader national dialogue on restructuring and equity in state representation.
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Currently, the South-East region, with its five states, has the fewest among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, contrasting sharply with the North-West’s seven states and others like the South-West, South-South, North-East, and North-Central, which each have six states.
However, the advancement of the Etiti State bill is not without its challenges. It must contend with competing proposals within the South-East region, notably a separate bill sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo) seeking the creation of Orlu State.
Moreover, Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP, Delta) is exploring the possibility of sponsoring a bill to create Anioma State, which would be carved out from the present Delta State in the South-South region but would be added to the South-East region.
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