A member representing Nnewi North Constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Augustine Onyekachukwu has called on President Bola Tinubu to create the sixth State in the Southeast Geopolitical Zone.
Ike who made the call in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu dated June 29 and seen by Truthlive news, said that the arguments for the 6th State to be created in the Southeast Geopolitical Zone are not only compelling but are grounded in history:
He continued that the essence of democracy is the need to strike a balance, adding that Nigeria has six geopolitical zones and five of them have at least six states each, it is then equitable that every geopolitical zone must have six states.
The lawmaker further said that naming such a state Ikemba with its headquarters in Nnewi will reduce agitations in the Southeast region.
He also explained that the Southeast geopolitical zone is supposed to have a total of eighteen (18) senators and not fifteen (15), adding that the only way to fill the vacuum is to prioritize the creation of the remaining State for the Southeast zone within one year.
The letter read in part, “Mr. President, the arguments for the 6th State to be created in the Southeast Geopolitical Zone are not only compelling but are grounded in history.
“In the very essence of democracy is the need too strike balance. If Nigeria is founded on six geopolitical zones and each of five geopolitical zones has six states, it is then equitable that every geopolitical zone must have six states.
“Thus, Nigeria cannot on grounds of good logic be said to have six geopolitical zones until Mr President accents to the proposal to create the sixth State in the Southeast in the spirit of equity and fairness.
“The Southeast is a very historical region in Nigeria and the memories of the good days in Nigeria is rooted to Ojukwu family; Lord Luis Philip Odumegwu Ojukwu hosted the Queen of England and His son embraced the military and was of great service both to his region and Nigerians in general; thus, naming such State Ikemba State with its headquarters in Nnewi will tranquilize all agitations in the Southeast.
“The Ikemba State will serve as another economic hub in Nigeria and a pilot state towards a New Nigeria; thus, the need for the capital to be in Nnewi North LGA is beyond historical reason.
“Mr. President, reminding you that the Southeast Geopolitical Zone is supposed to have a total of eighteen (18) Senators not fifteen (15) as the case is at present is analogous to telling one the need to eat balance diet! It cannot be overemphasized. The only way to fill this vacuum is to prioritize the creation of the remaining State for the Southeast zone within one year.
“Mr. President I need not remind you that prioritizing this proposal will make you the greatest President in the history of Nigeria and posterity will not forget you.
“Whilst we continue to remember your administration in our prayers, kindly treat this proposal as a need, not a want.”