The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate political will in addressing the long-standing state creation imbalance in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abakaliki, Deputy President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, urged the Federal Government to create two additional states in the Southeast and another in the South-South to correct the regional disparity that has disadvantaged the South.
Isiguzoro argued that the North’s advantage of 19 states compared to the South’s 17 states has led to an uneven distribution of political and economic opportunities.
“We urgently appeal to President Tinubu to summon the political courage to correct this imbalance. The Southeast, with only five states, must be brought to parity with other geopolitical zones, particularly the Northwest, which has seven states,” he stated.
He further recommended that the second new state should be allocated to either the Southwest or South-South, ensuring a fairer distribution of power across the federation.
“This is not just a numeric adjustment but a necessary step toward justice, fairness, and national unity. Addressing these disparities will empower the Southern regions to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s development agenda,” he added.
Ohanaeze also rejected the recent proposal by the House of Representatives to create 31 new states, describing it as impractical and lacking credibility.
“The suggestion to create an excessive number of states is an exercise in futility. It fails to meet constitutional requirements and only undermines the integrity of our legislative institutions,” the statement read.
The group commended Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu for dismissing the proposal, emphasizing that any discussions on state creation must prioritize the South, which has historically been underrepresented.
Ohanaeze maintained that the imbalance in state distribution, a legacy of past military regimes, has created systemic inequities that must be corrected.
“The time for action is now. President Tinubu has a historic opportunity to advance equity and dismantle the political and economic dominance that has marginalized the South for too long. The creation of these two states is not just a policy suggestion; it is a clarion call for justice, fairness, and national stability,” the statement concluded.
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