Presidential Source Mentions New State Tinubu May Approve

Indications have emerged that President Bola Tinubu may finally approve the creation of just one new state following the completion of the legislative process by the National and State Assemblies, as reported by Legit.

It was learnt that Anioma State’s creation may go ahead with the president’s say-so, with its promoters arguing that it would ease the claims of marginalisation among the people of the Southeast.

According to Vanguard, a source within the presidency explained that consultations were at an advanced stage among the various interest groups.

This includes a specific discussion with those opposed to the creation of the Anioma state and who do not want it listed in the Southeast region.

Nwoko renews calls for Anioma State

This came amid renewed calls by Senator Ned Nwoko for a unified and sustained support from the Ndigbo for the creation of Anioma State as the sixth state in the Southeast region.

Recall that some groups within Delta State have opposed the creation of a sixth state. The group was of the view that the proposed new state should be part of the South-South geopolitical zone, a development that would increase the number of states in the region to seven.

Currently, the Southeast has the fewest number of states in the country, with only five. Some sources within the presidency have disclosed that the only new state being seriously considered for creation was Anioma, which could become the sixth state in the Southeast geopolitical zone.

Why Tinubu may approve Anioma State creation

The source maintained that the decision was being put into consideration because of the long-standing concerns about the alleged imbalance and marginalisation in the region.

One of the sources said: “Anioma State would be created to compensate the South-East region and Ndigbo in general. Mr President is fully aware of the arguments for and against the creation of the state, but he considers Anioma the most viable among the various requests for state creation.”

This comes amid the agitation for the creation of new states in the country, with several propositions being discussed by the National Assembly in the ongoing constitutional review.

Analyst speaks on creation of Anioma State

Reacting to the development, Omotayo Yusuf, a political commentator, who spoke to Legit.ng on the clamour for a new state, said that the creation of a new state would have no significant impact on the people, except for politics. However, he still stressed the importance of the Anioma State, explaining: “There is no indication of how it would really better the lives of people in that region.

The Anioma State that is being clamoured for or championed might be an opportunity for South-East Nigeria, which will give them additional land masses, rather than splitting the current five southeast states to create another one.”