The House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that seeks to establish a new state in the southeastern region of Nigeria, to be known as Orlu State.
The bill, which successfully passed its first reading, was sponsored by Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, representing Ideato North South in Imo State, alongside other co-sponsoring lawmakers.
The draft bill proposes an amendment to the 1999 Constitution to increase the number of states in Nigeria from 36 to 37 by creating Orlu State.
The new state, with Orlu as its capital, will be formed from parts of Imo, Abia, and Anambra states.
The bill specifically aims to amend the 1999 Constitution by adding a new paragraph to incorporate 28 local government areas.
These areas include Orlu, Orsu, Oru West, Oru East, Ideato North, Ideato South, Njaba, Nkwerre, Nwangele, Isu, Oguta, Ohaji Egbema, Onuimo, Ihiala, Uga, Uli, Ozubulu, Akokwa, Arondizuogu, Umuchu, Umunze, Umuaku, New Ideato North, Nwabosi West, Nwabosi East, Owerre Nkworji, Alaoma, Amaifeke, and Owerrebiri Umuowa.
Ugochinyere, the bill’s primary sponsor, called on his fellow National Assembly members to support the legislation to ensure its successful passage during the second reading.
He suggested that the creation of Orlu State could also lead to the formation of Ideato as a new senatorial district.
It is noteworthy that the South-East region currently has only five states, unlike other geopolitical zones in Nigeria, which have at least six states.
