Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the leading sociocultural organization representing the Igbo people, has strongly opposed the House of Representatives’ proposal to create 31 new states, dismissing it as unrealistic and lacking merit.
The group criticized the initiative, arguing that it does not meet the fundamental criteria for sustainable state creation.
Applauding the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for rejecting the proposal, Ohanaeze described it as an ill-conceived and premature move that undermines the credibility of the legislative process.
According to the organization, discussions on state creation should focus on addressing the historical marginalization of the Southern region, which has long suffered from inadequate representation.
In a statement, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action in correcting the existing imbalance.
“We strongly call on President Tinubu to demonstrate the political will and moral responsibility needed to address this long-standing disparity in state representation,” Isiguzoro stated.
He further emphasized that the North, which currently enjoys an advantage with its 19 states, must be balanced by the creation of two additional states in the South.
“Our immediate recommendation is the creation of a new state in the Southeast, which remains the only geopolitical zone with just five states. Achieving parity with other zones, especially the Northwest with seven states, is a necessity,” he added.
Ohanaeze proposed that while the Southeast should receive one of the new states, the second should be allocated to either the Southwest or South-South to ensure equitable distribution.
The group stressed that addressing these imbalances is essential for national unity and fairness, reaffirming its commitment to equity and justice.
It called on President Tinubu to take swift action toward creating a more inclusive and balanced Nigeria.