National Assembly Moves to Create New State in South-East: Hope Renewed for Equity and Representation

The ongoing constitutional review process at the National Assembly has taken a historic turn as the Senate Committee on Constitution Review reportedly approved the creation of a new state within Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone.

According to reports by The Punch Newspaper, the decision marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s long-standing debate over state creation and regional balance — particularly in the South-East, which has remained the only region with five states, while others have six or more.

⚖️ Background: The Quest for Equal Representation

The call for an additional state in the South-East is not new. Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, political leaders, cultural associations, and civil society groups from the region have consistently demanded fairness in the distribution of states.

While the North-West has seven states and the South-West, North-East, North-Central, and South-South each have six, the South-East — home to major states like Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi — remains structurally disadvantaged in both representation and federal resource allocation.

This imbalance has been a recurring source of agitation, with many describing it as a constitutional injustice that fuels feelings of political marginalization among the Igbo people.

🏛️ Inside the Committee’s Decision

According to Punch, the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, reviewed multiple submissions from across the country.
However, the proposal for a new South-East state reportedly received broad bipartisan support after lawmakers acknowledged the region’s consistent under-representation.

Sources within the National Assembly disclosed that the proposed state emerged as one of the top-rated items during the review, alongside recommendations on local government autonomy, judicial reforms, and revenue allocation.

Although the name of the proposed state was not officially confirmed, strong indications point toward Aba State or Orlu State — two names that have appeared repeatedly in previous memoranda and public hearings.

“It is time to give justice to the South-East,” one senator reportedly said during the committee’s closed-door session.
“Every other region has six or more states, so this is about equity and fairness — not politics.”

🗳️ Next Steps: What Happens After Committee Approval

The committee’s approval does not automatically create the new state. The next phase involves presentation of the recommendation to the full National Assembly, where it must secure two-thirds majority votes in both chambers (the Senate and House of Representatives).

After parliamentary approval, at least two-thirds of state assemblies across Nigeria must also endorse the bill before it can be forwarded to the President for assent.

If successful, this will be Nigeria’s first new state since 1996, when the late General Sani Abacha created Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Zamfara States.

💬 Reactions: Excitement, Skepticism, and Political Interest

The news has sparked mixed reactions across the country.
In the South-East, cultural groups like Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide welcomed the move, describing it as “a long-overdue victory for justice.”

“The National Assembly has taken a bold step to correct a structural imbalance that has lasted for decades,” said Ohanaeze spokesperson, Alex Ogbonnia.
“This will go a long way in calming tensions and strengthening national unity.”

Meanwhile, some Nigerians on social media expressed skepticism, arguing that the move may be politically motivated or unlikely to survive the full legislative process.

Political analysts suggest that, while the move is commendable, bureaucratic and political hurdles could still derail it, especially if vested interests within other regions feel threatened by potential redistributions of power and resources.

🌍 Implications for National Unity

If actualized, the creation of a new South-East state could reshape Nigeria’s political map and promote stronger regional inclusion.
Experts believe it will help balance representation in the Council of State, National Assembly, and Federal Executive Council — institutions where state numbers directly influence participation.

Economically, the proposed state could unlock new infrastructure projects, investments, and federal grants, fostering local development and employment opportunities.

More importantly, it could also serve as a symbolic reconciliation step toward addressing long-standing grievances in the region, especially amid growing calls for restructuring and renewed separatist sentiments.

🕊️ A Step Toward Justice or Another Political Promise?

While optimism remains high, some observers have urged the South-East to remain cautious. Past constitutional reviews, including those under former Senate Presidents Bukola Saraki and Ahmad Lawan, also approved similar recommendations — but they were never implemented.

Therefore, the real test lies in whether this new effort will move beyond committee approval to actual legislation.

“We’ve seen this before,” said a civil rights activist in Enugu.
“Until the President signs it into law, it remains talk.”

Still, the symbolism of the decision cannot be ignored — it demonstrates that the conversation about fairness and federal balance is alive in Nigeria’s democracy.

📰 Conclusion

The approval of a new state for the South-East, if realized, will mark a turning point in Nigeria’s constitutional history — one that may finally correct a regional imbalance that has persisted for decades.

For millions of Nigerians, particularly from the Igbo-speaking areas, this could restore faith in the promise of a truly federal Nigeria — where every region counts equally in the union.

As the National Assembly proceeds to the next stage, all eyes remain on Abuja to see whether this long-awaited dream will finally become a reality.