If Nigeria is to create any state, it must come from South-East – Sen Nwaebonyi

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution for the Southeast Zone, and Senator representing Ebonyi North Central Senatorial District, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, says if Nigeria is to create any new state, it must come from the South-East.

Nwebonyi made this declaration while answering questions in an interview on ARISE News on Tuesday, adding that such would address what he called a longstanding ‘zonal imbalance’.

The lawmaker, who is Senate Deputy Chief Whip, highlighted the constitutional process for state creation, stressing that the hurdles are high but not insurmountable.

“Section 8, sub 1, A to D of the constitution lays down the procedures to be followed when we want to create more states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“It has to originate through a request backed by two-thirds majority of representatives from the area, including at the Senate, House of Representatives, State House of Assembly, and local government councils. That is the 61 bills my colleague is talking about,” Nwaebonyi explained.