South East Stakeholders Call for Equity as National Assembly Proposes Six New States
Story: written by Daniel November 14,2025
The Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives joint committee recently recommended the creation of six additional states, a move intended to balance representation across the country’s six geopolitical zones. The resolution emerged at the end of a two-day retreat in Lagos, co-chaired by Senate Deputy President Barau Jibrin and House Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
During the retreat, lawmakers reviewed 69 bills, 55 state creation requests, two boundary adjustments, and 278 local government proposals, ultimately agreeing on one new state per geopolitical zone. If approved, this would increase Nigeria’s total states from 36 to 42.
The distribution would be:
- North West: 8 states
- North East: 7 states
- North Central: 7 states (including the FCT)
- South West: 7 states
- South South: 7 states
- South East: 6 states
The South East, currently with only five states—Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo—has voiced concerns over marginalisation and called for additional consideration to restore fairness.
Elder statesman Dr. Chike Obidigbo urged caution, warning against political manipulation in deciding which area should host the new state. He highlighted historic proposals such as Adada and newer suggestions like Etiti State, and cautioned against efforts to attach Anioma communities from Delta to the South East, saying such moves could create disunity among the Igbo.
Obidigbo added, “Geography and community consent should guide these decisions. External pressures should not undermine unity or equity.”
Dr. Chuka Nnabuife, Managing Director of the Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office, also emphasized fairness, stating that while the creation of states has historically improved development, equity must guide new allocations. He suggested that if new states are being added, the South East should ideally receive two additional states, while regions already with seven should receive none.
Stakeholders agree that the focus should not be merely on political expediency but on balance, justice, and equitable development across all regions, ensuring no zone remains disadvantaged in the federation
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