Stakeholders Renew Call for Creation of Etiti State in South East

Stakeholders Renew Call for Creation of Etiti State in South East

A renewed call has been made for the creation of Etiti State as the most equitable and unifying option for the long-awaited additional state in the South East geopolitical zone.

In an open letter addressed to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, and signed by Rt. Hon. Prince Oguejiofor Okoli, commended the Deputy Speaker for his diligent representation at the National Assembly while drawing attention to the “politicization” surrounding the federal government’s plan to create a new state in the region.

Prince Okoli noted that, after years of agitation for equity and inclusion, the Federal Government’s approval for an additional state in the South East should be implemented in a manner that benefits all five states Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

According to him, Etiti State remains the only option that would involve all existing South East states in its formation, as the proposed territory lies at their common boundaries and would foster unity, balance, and development across the region.

“The federal government never said the state should be created from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, or Imo State alone, but from the South East of Nigeria. The only creation that reflects this directive is Etiti State,” the letter stated.

Okoli argued that suggestions for the creation of Aba State, Adada State, or Anioma State would only benefit individual states rather than the region collectively, thereby defeating the purpose of the new state meant to address long-standing marginalization concerns.

He further listed the local government areas that could form the core of the proposed Etiti State, including:

Abia State: Umunneochi, Isuikwuato, and Bende LGAs, Anambra State: Orumba North, Orumba South, and Aguata LGAs, Ebonyi State: Ivo, Onicha, and Ishiagu LGAs, Enugu State: Aninri, Awgu, and Nkanu East LGAs, Imo State: Ideato North, Ideato South, and Onuimo LGAs

Okoli also emphasized that the affected areas are underdeveloped despite their rich mineral deposits, noting that the creation of a new state from these LGAs would “bring tremendous transformation and grassroots development.”

He called on Rt. Hon. Kalu to use his office to ensure fairness and equity in the final decision on state creation, and commended Hon. Amobi Ogah, the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, for his efforts alongside other lawmakers to advance the Etiti State course originally championed by the late Senator Uche Chukwumerije.

“May God give you the strength and wisdom to achieve this for your people, the South Eastern Nigerians,” Okoli concluded.