The House of Representatives have on Thursday, approved a bill aiming to create a new state called Orlu State in the southeastern region.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, a member representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency of Imo State, along with other lawmakers, passed its first reading.
If the bill becomes law, it will change the 1999 Constitution, increasing Nigeria’s number of states from 36 to 37. Orlu State, with its capital in Orlu city, would be formed from parts of Imo, Abia, and Anambra states.
The proposed state would consist of 28 local government areas, including places like Orlu, Orsu, and 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 bill’s main sponsor, encouraged his fellow National Assembly members to support the legislation during its second reading.
He suggested that establishing Orlu State could lead to Ideato becoming a senatorial district. Unlike other parts of Nigeria, the Southeast has only five states instead of the usual six in most geopolitical zones.