In Imo State, stakeholders have started advocating for the creation of Anim State to join the existing states in the South East. This push follows a bill sponsored by House of Representatives member Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo), which seeks to create Orlu State from the current Imo State.

The South East region currently has only five states, unlike other regions with a minimum of six states. Creating an additional state would balance the region’s state count, except for the North-West, which has seven states.

At an event in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Tuesday, the deputy chairman of the agitation movement, Peter Mgbenwelu, spoke about the motivations behind this pursuit. He emphasized the economic viability and widespread desirability of the proposed Anim State.

“We, the stakeholders, have maintained that the proposal for another state in the South-East is for balancing the number of states in each geopolitical zone in the country,” Mgbenwelu stated. “Having taken a critical look at the nationwide clamour for the creation of more states, we have resolved to continue to pursue the creation of Anim State as the most desirable and economically viable, for the purposes of balancing the number of states in each geopolitical zone in the country. The Anim State creation movement has been in existence for over six years,” he added.

The meeting saw attendance from key figures, including the chairman of the agitation, Ignatius Ifeanyi; the deputy chairman, Peter Mgbenwelu; the secretary, Osita Nwaneri; and the deputy secretary, Bath Awugosi. Other notable attendees included the traditional ruler of Isiokwu, Ihioma community in the Orlu Local Government Area, John Nwosu; Mrs. Callista Nwachukwu, Maxwell Ujubuonu, and Green Iheka.