The Joint National Assembly Committee on Constitution Review has approved the creation of a new state in the South-East geopolitical zone.

The committee, in a statement on Sunday, also announced the setting up of a subcommittee to further consider the creation of states and local government areas across other zones of the country.

According to the statement, the unanimous resolution was reached after the committee reviewed 55 proposals for state creation nationwide.

House of Representatives’ Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who had consistently championed the initiative, said the request was anchored in the principles of equity, justice, and fairness, as the zone has only five states.

In his remarks, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin urged members to rally support among colleagues at the national and state assemblies to ensure that the resolutions sailed through during voting.

“We need to strengthen what we have started so that all parts of the country will key into this process.

“By the time we get to the actual voting, we should already have the buy-in of all stakeholders from both chambers and the state houses of assembly,” he said.

(NAN)