2 months ago
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The House of Representatives has passed a bill seeking to establish an additional state, named Etiti State, in the South-East through its second reading.
The bill, sponsored by Reps. Miriam O. Onuoha, Kama Nkemkama, Princess C. Nnabuife, Anayo Onwuegbu, and Amobi Godwin Ogah, proposes creating Etiti State from parts of existing states in the region. Specifically, the bill aims to alter Section 3(1) of the 1999 Constitution to increase the number of states from thirty-six to thirty-seven by adding “Etiti” immediately after “Enugu.”
The proposed state would comprise Isuikwuato and Umunneochi LGAs from Abia; Orumba North and Orumba South LGAs from Anambra; Ivo and Ohaozara LGAs from Ebonyi; Aninri, Awgu, and Oji River LGAs from Enugu; and Okigwe and Onuimo LGAs from Imo. Lokpanta would be designated as the capital city.
In his lead debate, Rep. Amobi Godwin Ogah argued that creating Etiti State would bring the South-East in line with other regions, which have at least six states, while the North-West has seven. The South-East currently has only five states: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.
“The current structure of the South-East region, with just five states, has been a subject of debate and advocacy for reconfiguration,” Ogah said. “The creation of Etiti State is a proactive step towards aligning the region with the structural realities of its sister regions. It is a long-overdue step to foster equitable representation, enhance governance efficiency, and promote socio-economic development.”
