A proposal to establish a new state in the South-East region has gained momentum after the bill passed its second reading in the Senate. The move, spearheaded by Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West), seeks to carve out ANIM State from parts of Anambra and Imo States, addressing what proponents call a longstanding imbalance in the country’s geopolitical structure.
Izunaso, speaking to journalists in Abuja, framed the initiative as a matter of fairness, noting that the South-East remains the only zone with five states while other regions have at least six. “This is not about preferential treatment but about equity,” he said. “Nigeria’s federal character should reflect balance, and the South-East cannot remain an exception indefinitely.”
The bill now moves to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, where further deliberations will determine its viability. If successful, the process will require a referendum, ensuring public approval before any final implementation. “State creation is not imposed by decree,” Izunaso stressed. “It must follow democratic principles, including the consent of the people.”
In the same briefing, the senator also weighed in on the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), urging the Federal Government to consider a political resolution. Kanu, currently on trial for terrorism-related charges, has been a focal point of unrest in the South-East, where separatist agitation has fueled insecurity.
Izunaso argued that Kanu’s release could help stabilize the region by undercutting the influence of criminal elements exploiting the pro-Biafra movement. “His continued detention only emboldens those who hide under the guise of agitation to commit crimes,” he said. “A political solution would isolate these actors and restore peace.”
