Senate Mulls New South-East State – Izunaso
Senator Osita Izunaso, representing Imo West, has announced that the Nigerian Senate is actively considering a bill seeking the creation of a new state in the South-East region, to be named “Anim State.”
During a press briefing held in Abuja on Friday, June 13, Izunaso disclosed that the bill has already passed its second reading and is currently being reviewed by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review.
The proposed state, according to him, would be carved out of existing territories within Anambra and Imo states.
“This is not a favour—it is a matter of equity,” the senator stated, emphasizing the structural imbalance in Nigeria’s federal system.
He noted that while the North-West has seven states and the North-East, North-Central, South-West, and South-South each have six, the South-East remains the only zone with just five states.
Izunaso argued that this disparity has not only placed the South-East at a disadvantage in terms of political representation and resource allocation, but has also fueled deep-rooted discontent and calls for greater inclusion.
He assured that the process would follow democratic norms and legal procedures. “You cannot create a state by fiat,” he said.
“There must be a referendum, where the people directly affected will have the opportunity to decide. That is how democracy functions.”
The senator expressed optimism that the initiative would address long-standing grievances in the South-East and help foster a more balanced and inclusive federation.
Senate Mulls New South-East State – Izunaso