Efforts by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, to secure an additional state for the South-East geopolitical zone paid off at the weekend, as the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review approved the creation of a new state in the region.

The decision was made during a two-day retreat in Lagos, where Kalu advocated the region’s request based on equity and justice.

The South-East, presently, has five states, while the remaining five regions that make up the six geopolitical zones of the country have either six or seven each.

Faced with 55 proposals for state creation to consider, Kalu, who co-chaired the Joint Committee alongside the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, made a passionate appeal to the members to consider the zone.

Members, who took turns to speak on the subject matter, aligned their thoughts with those of Kalu, saying that the South-East deserved an additional state.

Thereafter, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) from the North-East moved the motion for the creation of an additional state. Seconded by Ibrahim Isiaka, representing Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency of Ogun State, South West, the motion got the unanimous support of the members and was later adopted by the committee.

This is the first time the journey and effort towards getting an extra state for the region paid off. Coming after a great presentation, Kalu scored an appreciable point for his legislative strides and impacts.

Similarly, the Joint Committee also set up a subcommittee to consider the creation of more states and local government areas across all the geopolitical zones of the country, as the Constitution Review Committee listed 278 proposals for consideration.