House of Reps deputy speaker reiterates support for creation of additional state in South-east
Add us on Google Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has reiterated his support for creation of an additional state in the South-east region of the country. Mr Kalu, who is the chairman of the Committee on Constitution Review, stated this on Wednesday while hosting traditional leaders from the Anioma region and the stakeholders’ movement for the proposed creation of Anioma State in his office in Abuja. He emphasised the need for inclusivity, dialogue and regional consensus in the state creation process. The lawmaker, however, said that creating a new state cannot be achieved in isolation. According to him, it requires collaboration with governors and key stakeholders across both the South-east and South-south regions. “You cannot do this without the governors of the South-east and the South-south. It is our duty to pass bills, but critical stakeholders must be involved. “If you ask me between having Anioma State and Anim State, I would prefer a fusion, to have Animoma state so that the two brothers can come together as one,” he said. “Whoever is proposing in isolation must be ready to give up some and accept some, so that brothers can unite and work together. “Anything outside this approach is a waste of time. There must be agreement—South-east accepting, South-south accepting—to move forward,” he stated. READ ALSO: Constitution Review: NASS joint committee approves additional state for South-east Mr Kalu urged the proponents of a separate state to embrace compromise for the greater good, noting that unity would strengthen the case for state creation. He pledged to continue to prioritise the creation of an additional state for the South-east. Earlier, the delegation, led by the Lead Proponent of the movement for Anioma State, Ned Nwoko, a senator, said their mission was to show appreciation to the deputy speaker. In his remarks, King of Ubulu-uno Delta, Henry Kikachukwu, said that the agitation for the creation of Anioma state was not for personal interest but a long overdue need to be rightfully and fully identified as Ndi Igbo. “We are here to let you know that the quest for Anioma State has been on for so long, for many decades. “We are Igbos, and we want to be fully identified as Ndi Igbo. We need Anioma State to be created as the sixth state in the South-east,” Mr Kikachukwu said. (NAN) Share this: Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Click to print (Opens in new window) Print