Prominent Nigerian politician and former Senator, Shehu Sani, has voiced strong support for a new legislative proposal to create an additional state in the South East region. Sani took to his verified Twitter account to describe the bill, currently before the National Assembly, as “fair and just,” emphasizing the significance of equitable representation and development for the region.
The bill, which seeks to add a new state to Nigeria's current 36-state structure, has sparked a robust debate. Advocates argue that creating an additional state in the South East would address historical imbalances and ensure a fairer distribution of resources and political representation. The South East, predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group, has long contended with perceptions of marginalization in the Nigerian federal system.
“In reference to the Bill before the National Assembly, creating another state in the South East is fair and just,” Sani tweeted. His statement highlights the broader discourse on national unity and the need to address regional grievances that have persisted since the country’s civil war in the late 1960s.
The proposal aligns with calls from South East leaders and groups, including the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a prominent socio-cultural organization, which has consistently advocated for increased political and economic inclusion for the region. They argue that an additional state would not only enhance regional development but also strengthen Nigeria's federalism by ensuring all regions have comparable influence and opportunities.
Opponents of the bill, however, caution against what they see as the potential for increased administrative costs and complexities associated with creating a new state. Some also fear that such a move might fuel similar demands from other regions, leading to further fragmentation and straining Nigeria’s already delicate balance of ethnic and regional interests.