Abuja, Nigeria – A bill proposing the creation of a new state in the South-East geopolitical zone, named Etiti, has passed its first reading in the House of Representatives. The bill, sponsored by Amobi Ogah (LP-Abia) and four other lawmakers, was read by the clerk of the House, Yahaya Dan’Zaria, during a plenary session on Tuesday.
Sponsors of the Bill
- Amobi Ogah (LP-Abia)
- Miriam Onuoha (APC-Imo)
- Kama Nkemkama
- Chinwe Nnabuife
- Anayo Onwuegbu
Proposed Structure of Etiti State
The new state, Etiti, is proposed to include communities from the existing five states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. It will be comprised of 11 local government areas, with Lokpanta as the proposed state capital.
Local Government Areas to be Included
- Abia State: Isuikwuato, Umu-Nneochi
- Anambra State: Orumba North, Orumba South
- Ebonyi State: Ivo, Ohaozara
- Enugu State: Aninri, Agwu, Oji River
- Imo State: Okigwe, Onuimo
Constitutional Amendments
The bill aims to amend the 1999 Constitution by:
- Deleting “36” and replacing it with “37” to reflect the addition of the new state.
- Inserting “Etiti” immediately after “Enugu” in the list of states.
- Reallocating the affected local government areas from their current states to the new state of Etiti.
Next Steps
With the first reading complete, the bill will undergo further scrutiny and readings in the House of Representatives. If passed, it will proceed to the Senate and require approval from a majority of state assemblies and a national referendum before becoming law.
Implications
The creation of Etiti state is intended to address regional imbalances and provide better administrative oversight in the South-East. It reflects ongoing efforts to restructure and enhance governance in Nigeria.
