A bill proposing the creation of Etiti State in Nigeria’s South-East geo-political zone was read for the first time during a plenary session in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Sponsored by five members of the House—Amobi Ogah, Miriam Onuoha, Kama Nkemkama, Chinwe Nnabuife, and Anayo Onwuegbu—the bill seeks to carve out the new state from the existing Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.
The proposed Etiti State would encompass 11 local government areas (LGAs) drawn from the five states, with its capital to be located at Lokpanta. The bill aims to amend three sections of the 1999 Constitution, altering the number of states from 36 to 37, and adding “Etiti” to the list of states following Enugu. Additionally, it seeks to reassign the relevant LGAs from their current states to the new state.
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The LGAs affected include:
- Abia: Isuikwuato and Umu-Nneochi
- Anambra: Orumba North and Orumba South
- Ebonyi: Ivo and Ohaozara
- Enugu: Aninri, Awgu, and Oji River
- Imo: Okigwe and Onuimo
The Struggle for Six South-East States
For years, the Southeast has been advocating for the creation of an additional state, arguing that the region’s status as the only zone with five states among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones has led to significant federal allocation disparities. This imbalance has cost the region trillions of naira and spurred renewed calls for equitable state distribution.
The last state creation in Nigeria occurred in 1996 under the regime of the late General Sani Abacha. Since then, the Southeast has consistently demanded another state.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has been a vocal proponent of this cause. It said the creation of a new state in the southeast will not only correct the imbalance in state allocation that has historically relegated the zone to a lesser status but also pave a new path for Ndigbo in the Nigerian polity.
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, reiterated this demand at a retreat in Enugu in April, expressing dissatisfaction with the 1999 Constitution and threatening legal action if the federal government fails to create an additional state.
Legislative and Constitutional Hurdles
The challenge of creating a new state in the region, among other things, has been largely attributed to the rigidity of the 1999 constitution.
Creating a new state in Nigeria involves a rigorous constitutional process. Section 8(i) of the 1999 Constitution stipulates that a request for state creation must be supported by at least a two-thirds majority of representatives from the Senate, the House of Representatives, the House of Assembly, and local government councils from the area demanding the new state.
Furthermore, the proposal must be approved in a referendum by a two-thirds majority of the area’s populace, followed by a simple majority approval from all states of the federation and a two-thirds majority approval in both houses of the National Assembly.
In recognition of the challenges associated with state creation, delegates at the 2014 National Conference recommended amending the constitution to simplify the process. They specifically endorsed the creation of an additional state in the Southeast to promote reconciliation, equity, and justice. The conference suggested that state creation should ensure parity between geopolitical zones and be based on the economic viability of the proposed state, considering its natural and human resources, land, and water mass.
The introduction of the Etiti State bill follows the recent passage of the South-East Development Commission Bill through its third reading in the House of Representatives. The National Assembly’s ongoing efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution aim to address long-standing issues, including the perceived marginalization of the Southeast region.
While the journey towards creating Etiti State is fraught with legislative and constitutional challenges, the bill’s progression to its first reading marks a significant milestone. This development has rekindled hope that the Southeast’s persistent call for a new state may finally be answered, potentially rectifying historical imbalances and fostering greater regional equity.