Ohaneze demands creation of two new states in Southeast

A chieftain of Ohaneze Ndigbo and Deputy Vice President General of the Igbo social cultural group, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, has called on President Bola Tinubu to create additional states in the Southeast zone.

This was Isiguzoro opined that creation of 2 more states will bring justice, fairness and equity to the zone.

Isiguzoro who made his opinion known in a statement written under the agies of Ohaneze Ndigbo commended the stands of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on the call for additional 31 states in the country.

The statement reads,” The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the foremost sociocultural organization representing the Igbo people and, by extension, the Southern regions of Nigeria, unequivocally voices its profound objections to the recent proposal put forth by the House of Representatives advocating for the creation of thirty-one new states.

“This proposal is an exercise in futility, characterized by a blatant lack of credibility and a fundamental misunderstanding of the criteria essential for the establishment of viable political entities.

“We commend the leadership of the House, particularly the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for his forthright dismissal of this proposal, which fails to meet basic constitutional requirements. His remarks serve not only as a necessary disclaimer but as a vital effort to preserve the integrity and dignity of our legislative institutions.

“The suggestion to create an unwieldy number of new states is, frankly, premature and displays a level of immaturity unbecoming of our representatives. Such proposals do nothing but cast a shadow over the stature of the House of Representatives and compromise its essential role in governance.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo staunchly reaffirms its position that any discourse regarding state creation must prioritize the Southern region of Nigeria, which has been historically underrepresented. The Northern region, currently endowed with nineteen states—a configuration established by past military regimes—benefits from an unfair numerical advantage that has led to systemic inequities. This disparity has long been employed as a strategic instrument of intimidation against the governance and development of the Southern populace.

“In this context, we urgently appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to summon the political will and moral strength necessary to correct this longstanding imbalance in state representation.

“The political and economic advantages enjoyed by the North, due in large part to its nineteen states, must be counterbalanced by the creation of two additional states in the South. Our immediate recommendation is that the first of these new states be established in the Southeast, which currently consists of just five states. It is imperative that the Southeast achieves parity with other geopolitical zones, particularly the Northwest, which boasts seven states.

“Moreover, we propose that the allocation of the second new state be judiciously considered for either the Southwest or the South-South region. This strategic adjustment is not merely a numeric correction; it represents a critical step toward addressing the long-standing grievances of the Southern populace and fostering a more equitable distribution of power across the federation.

“The imperative for action is now clearer than ever. By fostering this equity, President Tinubu will not only be advancing the cause of justice for the Southern regions but also dismantling the historical political and economic dominance that has marginalized our people for far too long. The establishment of these two states is essential for ensuring that the Southern regions are empowered to contribute significantly to the national dialogue and development agenda.

“In closing, Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains steadfast in its commitment to achieve fairness and equity for our people. We assert that the time has come for President Tinubu to take decisive action. The creation of two additional states within the Southern regions is not merely a policy recommendation; it is a clarion call for justice, equality, and national unity. A stronger, more equitable Nigeria is possible if we take the necessary steps to right the imbalances of the past”.