The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill aimed at establishing a new state in Nigeria’s southeastern region, to be named Orlu State.
The bill, which passed its first reading, was sponsored by Hon. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, who represents the Ideato North-South Federal Constituency of Imo State, along with other co-sponsoring lawmakers.
According to the draft bill, the creation of Orlu State will involve amending the 1999 Constitution to increase the number of states in Nigeria from 36 to 37. The proposed new state, with Orlu as its capital city, will be carved out from parts of Imo, Abia, and Anambra states.
The bill outlines the inclusion of 28 local government areas in the new state. These areas are 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.
Hon. Ugochinyere, the primary sponsor of the bill, called on his colleagues in the National Assembly to support the legislation to ensure its successful passage in the second reading. He emphasized that the establishment of Orlu State could also lead to the formation of Ideato as a new senatorial district.
It is noteworthy that the Southeast region currently has only five states, whereas other geopolitical zones in Nigeria have a minimum of six states. The creation of Orlu State aims to address thisimbalance.