₦airaland Forum

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on President Bola Ahamed Tinubu to exercise the needed political will and courage to address the historical state creation imbalance in the country.

The Deputy President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who made the demand through a press statement issued on Sunday in Abakaliki with a title “A Call for Equity: Proposed 31 States Must Acknowledge Southern Needs” said there was the need to make up the states in the south to 19 to bring it to parity with states in the north.

According to him, the President and House of Representatives should be concerned about creating two states; one for the Southeast and the other for the South-south to bring to an end the intimidation against the aspirations of the Southern populace.

The Statement reads in part “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the foremost socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people and, by extension, the Southern regions of Nigeria, unequivocally voices its profound objections to the recent proposal put forth by the House of Representatives advocating for the creation of thirty-one new states. This proposal is an exercise in futility, characterized by a blatant lack of credibility and a fundamental misunderstanding of the criteria essential for the establishment of viable political entities.

“We commend the leadership of the House, particularly the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for his forthright dismissal of this proposal, which fails to meet basic constitutional requirements. His remarks serve not only as a necessary disclaimer but as a vital effort to preserve the integrity and dignity of our legislative institutions. The suggestion to create an unwieldy number of new states is, frankly, premature and displays a level of immaturity unbecoming of our representatives. Such proposals do nothing but cast a shadow over the stature of the House of Representatives and compromise its essential role in governance.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo staunchly reaffirms its position that any discourse regarding state creation must prioritize the Southern region of Nigeria, which has been historically underrepresented. The Northern region, currently endowed with nineteen states—a configuration established by past military regimes—benefits from an unfair numerical advantage that has led to systemic inequities. This disparity has long been employed as a strategic instrument of intimidation against the governance and development of the Southern populace.

“In this context, we urgently appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to summon the political will and moral strength necessary to correct this longstanding imbalance in state representation. The political and economic advantages enjoyed by the North, due in large part to its nineteen states, must be counterbalanced by the creation of two additional states in the South. Our immediate recommendation is that the first of these new states be established in the Southeast, which currently consists of just five states. It is imperative that the Southeast achieves parity with other geopolitical zones, particularly the Northwest, which boasts seven states.

“Moreover, we propose that the allocation of the second new state be judiciously considered for either the Southwest or the South-South region. This strategic adjustment is not merely a numeric correction; it represents a critical step toward addressing the long-standing grievances of the Southern populace and fostering a more equitable distribution of power across the federation.

“The imperative for action is now clearer than ever. By fostering this equity, President Tinubu will not only be advancing the cause of justice for the Southern regions but also dismantling the historical political and economic dominance that has marginalized our people for far too long. The establishment of these two states is essential for ensuring that the Southern regions are empowered to contribute significantly to the national dialogue and development agenda.

“In closing, Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains steadfast in its commitment to achieve fairness and equity for our people. We assert that the time has come for President Tinubu to take decisive action. The creation of two additional states within the Southern regions is not merely a policy recommendation; it is a clarion call for justice, equality, and national unity. A stronger, more equitable Nigeria is possible if we take the necessary steps to right the imbalances of the past”.

Felimax:
Calve out state from the 5 Eastern State please.
Nobody should put eye in Delta North please.
I don't want to hear noise.

Ebubu2:
Na delta North leaders wey want join South East. Ndi Igbo no dey force them. Ask Ned Nwoko an elected Delta North Senator and their Reps wey wan join South East.

Beta mind yourself

Felimax:
You mean Ned Nwoko the mad man ?
Hello sir, you are standing on a long thing.
Only fools will want to leave where they are majority to a place where they will be minority.

Ebubu2:
Abeg go and die

Go and talk to Ned Nwoko disturbing to join South East and stop disturbing us.

Channel your hatred to the appropriate person

Felimax:
Which hatred! I want more people to see your comment.
My joy is that Ned is from Delta state and he has moved to APC already. You will see real drama come 2027.

We don't joke here!
Ned Nwoko is a complete clown and does not represent the desire of our people.

peterincredible:
I am delta north anioma and I can tell you we want our own state and preferable joining it with the south east I am seek and tired of this south south bull shit I would even prefer we get the anioma state with boundary adjustment to include our brothers in Edo state(igbanke) to be part of us nothing like Niger delta or south south bull shit tribe should always comes first let the Igbo speaking parts of delta and Edo have a state making it the sixth state of the south east

peterincredible:
I am delta north anioma and I can tell you we want our own state and preferable joining it with the south east I am seek and tired of this south south bull shit I would even prefer we get the anioma state with boundary adjustment to include our brothers in Edo state(igbanke) to be part of us nothing like Niger delta or south south bull shit tribe should always comes first let the Igbo speaking parts of delta and Edo have a state making it the sixth state of the south east

simpleseyi:
If you don’t go and concentrate on your life, you will continue to beg for food, just as you are doing now

Felimax:
Which hatred! I want more people to see your comment.
My joy is that Ned is from Delta state and he has moved to APC already. You will see real drama come 2027.

We don't joke here!
Ned Nwoko is a complete clown and does not represent the desire of our people.

Felimax:
Hello ooooo! You only wish!
Nobody will give any part of Delta to South East. Bookmark this page and you may come back to quote me

I am a typical Ukwani man. We are very wise and sophisticated people. You will say someone told you.

What is the name of your community and quarter in your place?

Me na gwai!

peterincredible:
I am an isselukwu man and I will tell you that it is only a fool that will come from delta north and see how this country is going and choose not to unite with his brother's and prefer to stay alone or be in isolation I will say this we igbos in must unite our tribe should come first if you like continue to they decieved your self you can ask the igbanke people of Edo state of what they are facing there

Felimax:
Mention your family quarter in Isele-ukwu?

gidgiddy:
Even though Senator John Mbata was recently elected Ohanaeze President General, along with Emeka Sibeudu as Deputy President General, they will parade this fake Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who had no position whatsoever in Ohanaeze, as speaking for the organisation

peterincredible:
continue to poke around my brother I have told you my own we anioma people must unite as one and look for ways to join the hinterland igbos this is for our own good and whether u are ukwuani, enuani , oshimili or whatever

sreamsense:
When did you started having interest in Ohanaeze matters? Ipob doesn't use to respect Ohanaeze, they only keeps interest in killing them or writing their names among the saboteur. How many Ezes and Ohanaeze members have been killed by the ipob terrorist of the east? Uncountable!

Felimax:
Hahahahhaa... Now you cannot mention your family quarters.
Igbo man claiming Delta!

We will choke all of you. I don't need to say much.
Watch what is ahead of you!

gidgiddy:
Even though Senator John Mbata was recently elected Ohanaeze President General, along with Emeka Sibeudu as Deputy President General, they will parade this fake Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who had no position whatsoever in Ohanaeze, as speaking for the organisation

Felimax:
Calve out state from the 5 Eastern State please.
Nobody should put eye in Delta North please.
I don't want to hear noise.

chatinent:
When it is from South East, it is tagged "begs." From other favoured places, it is tagged "requests."

The double standard tho.

sreamsense:
When did you started having interest in Ohanaeze matters? Ipob doesn't use to respect Ohanaeze, they only keeps interest in killing them or writing their names among the saboteur. How many Ezes and Ohanaeze members have been killed by the ipob terrorist of the east? Uncountable!

Creamypie:
They should be more concerned about ipob and how to end it, how to stop primitive discrimination, especially against ebonyi people. Infact, the more states are just for pride and how to oopress smaller tribes from south added to east. Even south voted to remain south via referendum in 1963. Ohaneze wey dey obey sit at home. Fear no let ohaneze members go out tommorrow

Kuginzi:
https://tribuneonlineng.com/ohanaeze-begs-tinubu-to-give-south-east-more-states/