Ohanaeze Backs Creation Of 2 States To South To End Northern Intimidation

Abah Joshua

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on President Bola Ahamed Tinubu to exercise the needed political will and courage to address the historical state creation imbalance in the country.

The Deputy President -General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who made the demand through a press statement issued on Sunday in Abakaliki, said there was the need to make up the states in the south to 19 to bring it to parity with states in the north.

According to him, the President and House of Representatives should be concerned about creating two states; one for the southeast and the other for the south-south to bring to an end the intimidation against the aspirations of the southern populace.

The statement reads: “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, as the quintessential voice of the Igbo people, hereby expresses its vehement opposition to the House of Representatives’ recent proposal concerning the creation of thirty-one new states.

“This initiative is not only a farce but also an exercise in futility, lacking the credibility and thoughtful consideration that befits such a significant constitutional matter.

“The bold assertion made by the leadership of the House, particularly through the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who has succinctly dispelled the notion that the proposed states meet requisite constitutional criteria, is commendable and necessary.

“We acknowledge his clarification as an essential step in restoring the dignity of our revered legislative body. It is both premature and juvenile for the House of Representatives to entertain such an ill-considered proposal, one that reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of what constitutes a viable state within our great nation.

“In explicit and direct terms, Ohanaeze Ndigbo reaffirms its support for the creation of additional states exclusively within the Southern region of Nigeria. The current imbalance evinced by the northern region, which possesses nineteen states—a remnant of erstwhile military regimes—exemplifies an unjust numerical disadvantage to the South, which is limited to a mere seventeen states.

“This inequitable distribution has engendered a political structure that disproportionately empowers the North, thus serving as a tool of intimidation against the aspirations of the Southern populace.

“In light of these historical injustices, we passionately implore President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exhibit the political will and moral courage required to rectify this imbalance. The time has come to create two additional states in the South, with an immediate priority accorded to establishing a sixth state in the Southeast.

“This urgent measure is not merely a suggestion but a requisite action to ensure that the Southeast, currently comprising only five states, achieves parity with other geopolitical zones, particularly the Northwest which boasts seven states.

“Moreover, the allocation of the remaining new state should be judiciously considered for either the Southwest or the South-South regions. Such strategic decisions will pave the way for true equity across the Southern regions, thereby balancing the overall distribution of states to a total of nineteen across both the Northern and Southern regions.

“It is imperative that we dismantle the historical political and economic dominance that the Northern region has exercised over the South. This corrective action is not solely about increasing state numbers; it is symbolic of a broader commitment to justice, fairness, and inclusivity within our federal structure.

“In conclusion, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands resolutely in support of every constructive measure aimed at fostering equity among the regions of our diverse nation. President Tinubu must act decisively to conclude the era of imbalanced state representation that has stymied the progress of the South. The creation of these two additional states is a vital step in the right direction, one that will promote national unity and empower Southern Nigeria to contribute fully to the collective narrative of our great country”, he said.