Umeh Hails National Assembly’s Approval of Additional South-East State as Step Toward Equity

Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity and Population, Senator Victor Umeh, has lauded the National Assembly’s approval for the creation of an additional state in the South-East, describing it as a landmark decision anchored on justice, equity, and fairness.

Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television monitored by Daily Post, Umeh said the move represents a significant stride toward healing longstanding political and structural marginalisation in the region.

“This agitation for one additional state in the South-East is not new,” Umeh said. “As far back as 2014, when we were at the National Conference, all 492 delegates agreed unanimously that the South-East deserved one additional state before considering demands from other regions.”

The lawmaker praised the Senate and House of Representatives for reaffirming this position during their recent retreat, calling it “another confirmation of the justice of the matter.”

Umeh revealed that out of the 55 requests for new states submitted nationwide, the Joint Committee on Constitution Review unanimously agreed that the South-East should be given priority, describing the move as a long-overdue recognition of the region’s imbalance in state creation.

He further stressed that once the additional state is created, subsequent state creation processes would be pursued equitably across all six geopolitical zones.

“This is a bold step toward healing and unity,” Umeh added. “It restores a sense of belonging to the South-East and strengthens the foundation of our federation.”