The news of of the approval of the creation of a new state in the Southeast region by the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has elicited jubilation across the country.
Recall that the Southeast region has the least number of States-five, while others have six, and North West having seven.
The approval is aimed at addressing long-standing agitation over the region’s perceived marginalization in Nigeria’s political structure.
The decision, which, if ratified, will increase the number of states in the South-east from five to six, was reached during the committee’s two-day retreat held in Lagos from 24 to 25 October.
The retreat was convened to consider wide-ranging proposals for constitutional amendments, including 55 separate requests for new states across the federation.
The disparity in the number of States among the regions over the years, has fuelled demands for a new state.
This, the people of the Southeast have maintained is to ensure equitable representation in federal appointments, resource distribution, and legislative representation.
The five States in the Southeast are Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, and Enugu.
During the retreat, the Committee, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and co-chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, deliberated extensively on the proposal.
Lawmakers from both chambers reportedly reached a consensus that the Southeast’s request met the principles of equity, justice, and fairness, which have guided the current review process.
According to the Deputy Speaker, who has been a vocal advocate for correcting the regional imbalance, the agitation for an additional State in the Southeast was not a political demand. Rather a constitutional necessity to promote inclusiveness and unity.
The decision which was arrived at after prolonged debate, came after a motion moved by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central). He so moved and was seconded Ibrahim Isiaka, (APC, Ogun State).
The motion received unanimous approval from members of the Joint Committee, signalling rare bipartisan consensus on what has long been a politically sensitive issue.
Lawmakers who contributed to the debate reportedly spoke in support of the motion, stressing that addressing structural imbalance would strengthen national cohesion and reduce feelings of marginalization among federating units, Premium Times reported.
However, in line with Constitution amendment procedure, the approval by the Joint Committee represents an initial stage in the process.
For any new State to be constitutionally created, it must receive two-thirds approval from members of both chambers of the National Assembly. And also the support of at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly.
In his closing remarks, the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Jibrin urged committee members to rally their colleagues across both chambers and within state legislatures to support the proposal during plenary consideration and voting.
He said, “We need to strengthen what we have started so that all parts of the country will key into this process.”
“By the time we get to the actual voting, we should already have the buy-in of all stakeholders from both chambers and the State Houses of Assembly.”
Beyond the creation of a state in the Southeast, the Joint Committee also announced the establishment of a subcommittee to examine the creation of additional States and Local Government areas across all six geopolitical zones.
According to the Committee, a total of 278 proposals were submitted by Nigerians and interest groups on the creation of new states, local councils, and boundary adjustments.
The subcommittee will screen, harmonize, and prioritize the proposals before presenting recommendations to the main Committee for further consideration.
Recall that the Constitution review process, which commenced earlier this year, is one of the most comprehensive in recent history. It covers critical areas such as devolution of powers, fiscal federalism, judicial reform, gender inclusion, and local government autonomy.
If passed, the development would mark the first constitutional amendment leading to state creation in Nigeria since 1996. The last states were created by former Head of State, General Sani Abacha. He created six new States to bring the number to in the country to 36.
The provision for the creation of a new State is spelt out under Section 8, sub-section 1 (a) to 1(d) of the Constitution.