The House of Representatives has initiated a process for creating a new state in southeastern Nigeria, as lawmakers passed a bill for its first reading on Thursday.
The proposed Orlu State, championed by Hon. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere of Imo State’s Ideato North South Federal Constituency and supported by other legislators, aims to become Nigeria’s 37th state. The bill outlines the formation of Orlu State, drawing territory from Imo, Abia, and Anambra states, with Orlu designated as the capital.
This legislative effort necessitates an amendment to the 1999 Constitution to include Orlu State and its 28 local government areas: Orlu, Orsu, Oru West, Oru East, Ideato North, Ideato South, Njaba, Nkwerre, Nwangele, Isu, Oguta, Ohaji Egbema, Onuimo, Ihiala, Uga, Ihiala, Uli, Ozubulu, Akokwa, Arondizuogu, Umuchu, Umunze, Umuaku, New Ideato North, Nwabosi West, Nwabosi East, Owerre Nkworji, Alaoma, Amaifeke, and Owerrebiri Umuowa.
Hon. Ugochinyere has urged his fellow lawmakers to support the bill’s progression to a second reading, emphasizing that the creation of Orlu State would establish Ideato as a senatorial district.
Currently, the southeastern region is the only geopolitical zone in Nigeria with five states, while all other zones have at least six.
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