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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has said that the South East geo-political zone needs to be strategic in its engagement with other zones, so as to actualise its quest for an additional state in the ongoing constitution review exercise.
Kalu stated this while receiving the promoters of the proposed Anim State, including stakeholders from Anambra and Imo states, who visited him, yesterday, in Abuja.
The deputy speaker, who noted that the South East is the only geo-political zone with five states, said the development had affected political balance and equitable representation within the federation.
He explained that, “state creation is not just about having a new status. It is an instrument of development that ensures the dividends of democracy reach the grassroots.
“When you look at the comparative analysis of the geopolitical zones, only one region, the South-East, is lagging behind. It ought not to be so.”
Nonetheless, he cautioned the stakeholders against confrontation in the push for an additional state in the South East, noting that actualising the state would require strategic engagement, diplomacy and national consensus.
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“To achieve this is not through violence or shouting about marginalisation. It is through negotiation, building friendships and shaking hands across the Niger.
“My vote alone cannot secure the state. In fact, I will not vote because I will be presiding. You must build friendships across the North, South-West and South-South because they will be in the chamber when the vote is called,” he stated.
The leader of the delegation, Senator Osita Izunaso, in his speech, said the group consists of communities across Imo and Anambra states, which will make up the proposed Anim State.
Izunaso noted that the proposal enjoys broad based support from political leaders, traditional rulers, local government officials and community stakeholders across the affected areas.
According to him, “the Imo State Government has already built a Government House in Orlu in preparation for the pronouncement of Anim State. If you enter Orlu today, you will hardly recognise the town. Internal roads have been rehabilitated, hospitals upgraded and universities are functioning well. We are ready and only waiting for the pronouncement of the state.”
He added that the visit was to commend Kalu for providing leadership that helped the South-East arrive at a unified position after the zone was asked to present a single proposal for an additional state.
