The Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Constitution Review has given its approval for the creation of a new state in Nigeria’s South-East region.The decision, which marks a significant step toward addressing long-standing calls for political balance and inclusion in the zone, was reached after a series of deliberations by members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives committees.
According to reports, the committee’s recommendation will be presented to the full National Assembly for consideration and eventual passage as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
Lawmakers from the South-East had for years advocated the creation of an additional state to bring the region on par with other geo-political zones, each of which currently has at least six states.While the name of the proposed state has not been officially disclosed, sources close to the committee hinted that extensive consultations with stakeholders from the region preceded the approval.
The committee’s decision will still require the backing of two-thirds of the National Assembly and approval by a majority of state assemblies across the federation before it can take effect.Observers say the development could reshape Nigeria’s political structure if ratified, giving the South-East zone equal representation in the federation.