The Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has rejected the proposal currently before the House of Representatives for the creation of 31 additional states, arguing that the imbalance between the North and South must first be addressed.
In a statement issued in Abakaliki, the Deputy National President of the Ohanaeze faction, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, insisted that equity and justice demand the creation of two additional states in the South to bring parity with the North, ensuring both regions have 19 states each.
He described the ongoing state creation proposal as lacking credibility and failing to meet fundamental criteria for establishing viable political entities.
Isiguzoro criticized the move as premature and ill-conceived, stating that it casts doubt on the integrity of the House of Representatives and undermines its role in governance.
“The suggestion to create an unwieldy number of new states is, frankly, premature and displays a level of immaturity unbecoming of our representatives.”
“Such proposals do nothing but cast a shadow over the stature of the House of Representatives and compromise its essential role in governance,” the statement read.
Ohanaeze reaffirmed its stance that any discussion on state creation should first address the historical underrepresentation of the South, which currently has 17 states, compared to 19 states in the North—a disparity Isiguzoro labeled unacceptable.
He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to show political will and moral strength by correcting this imbalance, emphasizing that the North has leveraged its numerical advantage to gain political and economic benefits.
“In this context, we urgently appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to summon the political will and moral strength necessary to correct this longstanding imbalance in state representation”.
“The political and economic advantages enjoyed by the North, due in large part to its nineteen states, must be counterbalanced by the creation of two additional states in the South,” the statement continued.
Ohanaeze proposed that one of the two new states should be created in the Southeast, which remains the only geopolitical zone with five states, compared to seven in the Northwest.
“Our immediate recommendation is that the first of these new states be established in the Southeast, which currently consists of just five states. It is imperative that the Southeast achieves parity with other geopolitical zones, particularly the Northwest, which boasts seven states,” Isiguzoro stated.
The second state, according to Ohanaeze, should be allocated either to the Southwest or the South-South region, as part of a broader strategy to address longstanding grievances and ensure a more equitable distribution of power.
“Moreover, we propose that the allocation of the second new state be judiciously considered for either the Southwest or the South-South region”.
“This strategic adjustment is not merely a numeric correction; it represents a critical step toward addressing the long-standing grievances of the Southern populace and fostering a more equitable distribution of power across the federation,” the statement added.
Despite its objections, Ohanaeze Ndigbo commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for dismissing the proposal, arguing that it does not meet constitutional requirements.
“We commend the leadership of the House, particularly the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for his forthright dismissal of this proposal, which fails to meet basic constitutional requirements. His remarks serve not only as a necessary disclaimer but as a vital effort to preserve the integrity and dignity of our legislative institutions,” Isiguzoro said.
Reiterating its commitment to fairness and justice, Ohanaeze called on President Tinubu to take decisive action in creating two new states in the South.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving fairness and equity for our people. We assert that the time has come for President Tinubu to take decisive action and create two additional states within the Southern region. It is a clarion call for justice, equality, and national unity,” the statement concluded.
