House of Representatives Advances Bill to Establish New State in South-East

 

Nigeria's House of Representative

The House of Representatives has made significant progress with a bill proposing the creation of a new state in the South-East geo-political zone, successfully passing its first reading. The envisioned state, named 'Orlu State,' is planned to have its capital in Orlu.

 

This legislative effort aims to amend the 1999 Constitution and is championed by Ikenga Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, who represents the Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, along with 15 co-sponsors. The bill is now poised for its second reading.

 

Should the bill be enacted, it would increase the number of states in the South-East to six and the total number of states in Nigeria to 37. The proposed Orlu State would be formed by partitioning areas from Imo, Abia, and Anambra State.

 

According to the bill, the Local Government Areas (LGAs) that would constitute the new state include Orlu, Orsu, Oru West, Oru East, Ideato North, Ideato South, Njaba, Nkwerre, Nwangele, Isu, Oguta, Ohaji Egbema, Onuimo, Ihiala, Uga, Uli, Ozubulu, Akokwa, Arondizuogu, Umuchu, Umunze, Umuaku, New Ideato North, Nwabosi West, Nwabosi East, Owerre Nkworji, Alaoma, Amaifeke, and Owerrebiri Umuowa.

 

Ugochinyere emphasized to newsmen that the creation of Orlu State would elevate Ideato to a senatorial district. He earnestly requested the support of his colleagues in the National Assembly to ensure the bill advances beyond its second reading.