From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The youth wing of the Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has strongly rejected the proposed creation of five additional states in the South-East, describing it as an extension of the region’s marginalization.
The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review recently proposed the creation of 31 new states across Nigeria, which, if approved, would increase the total number of states from 36 to 67, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Among the proposed states for the South-East are Etiti, Orashi, Adada, Orlu, and Aba. However, the Ohanaeze Youths believe that the allocation does not adequately address the long-standing concerns of Ndigbo regarding political and structural imbalances in Nigeria.
In a statement issued in Calabar, Cross River State, on Friday, the National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, criticized the proposal, arguing that it fails to rectify the historical injustice against the South-East.
“Ndigbo have been crying out about marginalization because we have only five states, while some regions have six or even seven. Now, instead of addressing this imbalance fairly, the House of Representatives is proposing a structure that still leaves us disadvantaged,” Okwu stated.
According to him, the South-East has long demanded an additional state since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, but those efforts have repeatedly been frustrated. He expressed disappointment that the House of Representatives members from the South-East allowed such a proposal to pass without ensuring a more equitable distribution.
“We initially welcomed the news of state creation with excitement. But upon scrutiny, it became clear that the proposal does not favor the South-East. We are being shortchanged again, and this is unacceptable,” he lamented.
Mazi Okwu called on the National Assembly to reconsider the proposal, warning that it could worsen grievances within the region. He also urged lawmakers from the South-East to return to the drawing board and push for the creation of at least two additional states for the region before ensuring an equal number of states across all regions.
“Any genuine effort to unite Nigeria must start by first giving the South-East two more states. Only then should other regions receive an equal number of new states to bring them at par,” he added
.The Ohanaeze Youths’ rejection of the proposal underscores the ongoing debate over Nigeria’s political structure and the persistent demand for fairness in the country’s governance.