The House of Representatives on Thursday advanced a bill proposing the creation of a new state in Nigeria’s South-East geo-political zone.
During the plenary session, lawmakers passed the bill for its first reading, marking a significant step towards establishing Orlu State.
The bill, sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency in Imo State, along with other legislators, is set for a second reading. If approved, the creation of Orlu State will amend the 1999 Constitution, increasing the number of states in the federation from 36 to 37.
According to the draft bill, Orlu State will be carved out from parts of Imo, Abia, and Anambra States, with Orlu designated as its capital.
The bill also proposes the addition of 28 local government areas to the constitution, including Orlu, Orsu, Oru West, Oru East, Ideato North, Ideato South, Njaba, Nkwerre, Nwangele, Isu, Oguta, Ohaji Egbema, Onuimo, Ihiala, Uga, Ihiala, Uli, Ozubulu, Akokwa, Arondizuogu, Umuchu, Umunze, Umuaku, New Ideato North, Nwabosi West, Nwabosi East, Owerre Nkworji, Alaoma, Amaifeke, and Owerrebiri Umuowa.
Ugochinyere, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, urged his colleagues in the National Assembly to support the bill, emphasizing that the creation of Orlu State would lead to the establishment of Ideato as a senatorial district.
Presently, Nigeria’s political configuration includes seven states in the North-West, six states each in the North-East, North-Central, South-South, and South-West, and five states in the South-East.
The creation of Orlu State aims to address this imbalance. Concurrently, the South-West is advocating for the creation of Oke-Ogun State, which would equalize its state count with the North-West.
