The Nigerian Senate is currently reviewing a landmark bill that proposes the creation of a new state in the South-East geopolitical zone, to be named Anim State, according to Senator Osita Izunaso, who represents the Imo West Senatorial District.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, June 13, Senator Izunaso revealed that the bill had successfully passed its second reading and is now before the Senate’s Committee on Constitution Review for further scrutiny.
If approved, Anim State would be carved out of portions of Anambra and Imo States, aimed at addressing what Izunaso described as the “structural imbalance” that has long left the South-East with only five states, compared to the six states allotted to every other zone in the country.
“It’s not a favour, it’s a matter of equity,” Izunaso emphasized. “The North-West has seven states, while the North-East, North-Central, South-West, and South-South each have six. The South-East remains disadvantaged with just five states.”
The senator argued that the unequal state distribution has historically contributed to feelings of political and economic marginalization among the South-East populace.
However, he clarified that the proposed creation of Anim State would undergo all constitutional and democratic processes, including a referendum involving the affected communities.
“You can’t create a state by fiat. People must agree through a referendum. That’s how democracy works,” he added.
If passed, the establishment of Anim State would mark the first alteration to Nigeria’s state structure since the creation of Bayelsa State in 1996 under the military regime of General Sani Abacha.
The proposal has sparked fresh debate on issues of federal character, resource allocation, and political representation in Nigeria’s complex multi-ethnic landscape.