New Hope For South East: Full List of Proposed States as One Awaits Creation After National Assembly Approval
The long-standing demand for additional states in Nigeria’s South East region appears to be gaining renewed momentum as one proposed state reportedly awaits final constitutional steps for creation following approval by the National Assembly. This development has sparked excitement among regional leaders and citizens who have, for decades, complained of marginalization and under-representation in Nigeria’s political structure.
Since the creation of the current 36-state structure in 1996 by the Abacha administration, the South East geopolitical zone has remained the only region with five states, while others have six or more. This imbalance has fueled calls for equity, as it affects the region’s federal representation, resource allocation, and political influence.
Prominent leaders, socio-political organizations, and lawmakers from the South East have repeatedly urged the federal government to address this disparity, insisting that the zone deserves at least one additional state to balance the federation’s structure.
Over the years, several state creation proposals have been submitted from the South East region, reflecting the aspirations of various ethnic and cultural groups seeking administrative autonomy and fair representation. Below are the most prominent among them:
- Aba State – Proposed from the current Abia State, with Aba as the capital. Proponents argue that the city’s strong commercial base and population justify its elevation to state status.
- Adada State – Carved out from Enugu State, this proposal has been one of the most consistent, with lawmakers from Nsukka and surrounding areas pushing for its creation since the 1980s.
- Orashi State – Proposed from parts of Imo and Rivers States, this state is intended to unify riverine and oil-producing communities that share cultural and economic similarities.
- Etiti State – This proposed state would combine areas from Imo, Abia, and Anambra States, aiming to create a central administrative region in the heart of the South East.
- Anioma State – Although located within Delta State (South-South zone), many proponents argue Anioma should be part of the South East due to its Igbo cultural and linguistic ties.
- Nsukka State – Another proposal from Enugu North Senatorial District, focusing on giving autonomy to the northern part of Enugu State, which has been agitating for separate statehood for decades.
Reliable sources within the National Assembly confirm that one proposed state from the South East has already passed key legislative stages, including approval by both chambers of the National Assembly. The next steps involve conducting a referendum by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and securing the President’s assent, as mandated by Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Although officials have yet to name the specific state publicly, reports suggest that Adada State is currently the most advanced in the process, following years of persistent lobbying and submission of constitutional documents.
Analysts say the creation of a sixth state in the South East would go beyond politics—it would restore federal balance and give the region equal standing with others in terms of:
- Senatorial districts (18 across the country).
- House of Representatives seats and ministerial appointments.
- Federal resource allocation.
- National Council representation.
Dr. Emeka Okoro, a constitutional lawyer based in Enugu, described the move as “a long-overdue correction of a structural imbalance that has weakened national unity.”
“Every geopolitical zone should have equal states for fairness. The South East has suffered from underrepresentation for too long. Creating an additional state is a matter of justice, not privilege,” he said.
Despite legislative progress, experts caution that state creation remains a highly demanding process. Apart from legislative approval, a successful referendum must show overwhelming public support in the proposed area. Funding, boundary disputes, and political consensus among affected states also remain potential obstacles.
Additionally, Nigeria’s economic challenges and rising governance costs have prompted some policymakers to question whether creating new states is financially sustainable at this time.
As the South East waits anxiously for the official announcement, optimism remains high that the creation of a new state will not only strengthen the region’s political voice but also foster national balance and inclusiveness.
If successful, this would mark the first new state creation in Nigeria in nearly three decades, signaling a new chapter in the country’s constitutional and political development
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