Ex-lawmaker seeks additional state for South East

A former lawmaker who represented Abia Central in the second National Assembly, Chris Adighije, has called on the Federal Government to create an additional state in the South East.

Adighije made the call in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

He noted that if the additional state is created for the South East, making the region have six states, it will reflect the meaning and understanding of the old national anthem reintroduced to the polity.

He emphasised the second stanza of the national anthem that “Our flag shall be a symbol that truth and justice reign”.

He said that he aligned with others, especially the apex South East socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, that had been advocating the creation of Anioma State

He added that the creation of Anioma state would bring to six, the number of states in the South East.

Adighije said, “The Federal Government should overlook the provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended and create an additional state in the South East with the doctrine of necessity.

”For truth and justice, and to build a nation where no zone is oppressed, the doctrine of necessity becomes expedient and ought to be invoked as has been in the case in the past when we had a constitutional crisis.

“The creation of such a state in the South East will bring to bear the meaning and understanding of the old national anthem reintroduced to the polity. It is here that the issue of truth and justice would make meaning.

“ l also believe that the Anioma state is more apt for the South East in geography and culture.”

It would be recalled that the creation of an additional state in the South East has taken centre stage in the National Assembly, with different groups suggesting different names.

Also, the constitutional provision, especially Chapter 1, Section 8&9 has always been a major issue in the debate for the creation of an additional state in the South East.

NAN