Leaders in the south-east have asked the national assembly to support the bill seeking to create Anim state.
Anim is proposed to be carved out of Anambra and Imo states,
with Orlu as its capital.
The south-east currently has five states—fewer than the six
or seven in other geopolitical zones.
Speaking on behalf of the south-east leaders during a
meeting with Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives, on
Wednesday, Osita Izunaso, senator representing Imo west, said the proposed
state is based on equity, justice and fairness.
Izunaso said the south-east leaders include members of the
Imo and Anambra state houses of assembly, local government chairmen, leaders of
the Anim State Movement and representatives of traditional institutions in the
geopolitical zone.
The legislator said federal lawmakers from Imo and Anambra
have endorsed the creation of the new state.
The lawmaker said key infrastructure projects are being
developed in Orlu, the capital of the proposed state.
“The Imo state government has already built a government
house in Orlu in preparation for the pronouncement of Anim state,” he said.
“If you enter Orlu today, you will hardly recognise the
town. Internal roads have been rehabilitated, hospitals upgraded, and
universities are functioning well. We are ready and only waiting for the
pronouncement of the state.”
In his remarks, Kalu, who chairs the house committee on
constitution review, said state creation is “an instrument of development that
ensures the dividends of democracy reach the grassroots”.
Kalu said the south-east remains the only geopolitical zone
in Nigeria with five states.
“Only the south-east is lagging. It ought not to be so,”
Kalu said.
The deputy speaker told the south-east leaders that securing
national support for the proposed state requires strategic engagement,
diplomacy, and national consensus, rather than confrontational agitation.
“To achieve this is not through violence or shouting about
marginalisation. It is through negotiation, building friendships and shaking
hands across the Niger,” he said.
Kalu advised the promoters of the proposed state to expand
consultations beyond the south-east to other geopolitical zones.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com