House of Reps Passes Bill for the Creation of New State in the South-East

A Bill for the Creation of Orlu State in the South-East Passes First Reading in the House of Representatives

A bill advocating for the establishment of an additional state in the South-East geopolitical zone has successfully passed its first reading in the House of Representatives.

Proposed to be named ‘Orlu State,’ with its capital in Orlu, the bill aims to amend the 1999 Constitution to facilitate this creation. It is sponsored by Ikenga Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, along with 15 others. Currently, the bill awaits its second reading.

Should the bill progress and be enacted, ‘Orlu State’ would become the sixth state in the South-East region and the 37th state in Nigeria. The proposed state would be formed from territories within Imo, Abia, and Anambra states.

Outlined in the proposed legislation are the Local Government Areas earmarked to constitute the new state. These 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.

The sponsor of the bill emphasized that if ‘Orlu State’ becomes a reality, Ideato would transition into a senatorial district. He called on his fellow lawmakers in the National Assembly to lend their support to ensure the bill’s successful passage through the second reading.