The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has strongly opposed the proposed creation of five additional states for the South-East, arguing that the region remains unfairly marginalized in Nigeria’s political structure.
The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review recently suggested the creation of 31 new states, which would increase Nigeria’s total number of states from 36 to 67, including the Federal Capital Territory.
Among the proposed new states are Okun, Okura, and Confluence (Kogi); Benue Ala and Apa (Benue); FCT State; Amana (Adamawa); Katagum (Bauchi); Savannah (Borno); Muri (Taraba); New Kaduna and Gujarat (Kaduna); Tiga and Ari (Kano); Kainji (Kebbi); Etiti, Orashi, Adada, Orlu, and Aba (South-East); Ogoja (Cross River); Warri (Delta); Ori and Obolo (Rivers); Torumbe (Ondo); Ibadan (Oyo); Lagoon (Lagos); Ogun, Ijebu (Ogun); and Oke Ogun/Ijesha (Oyo/Ogun/Osun).
Expressing their dissatisfaction, the National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, described the proposal as another attempt to suppress the South-East politically and administratively. He emphasized that while other regions have six or seven states, the South-East has been left with only five, making the proposed increase insufficient compared to allocations for other regions.
Okwu called on the National Assembly to reconsider the proposal and ensure fairness in the state creation process. “Initially, we welcomed the news of the proposed state creation, but after careful analysis, we realized that the South-East is once again being shortchanged,” he stated.
He further pointed out that the demand for an additional state in the South-East has been ongoing since the return to democracy in 1999 but has repeatedly been ignored. “This constitutional amendment should serve as an opportunity to correct the historical imbalance, but instead, it is reinforcing it,” he lamented.
Okwu urged that for true national unity, the South-East must be given at least two additional states, followed by equitable state creation across all regions to ensure parity.
Additionally, he criticized lawmakers from the South-East for not actively challenging the imbalance in the proposal. He urged them to push for necessary amendments to ensure that the South-East receives fair representation in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“The unity and progress of Nigeria depend on equal treatment for all regions, and this proposed state creation does not reflect that,” Okwu concluded.