By ERICJAMES OCHIGBO

Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has reiterated his support for creation of an additional state in the South-East zone of the country.

Kalu, who is the Chairman, Committee on Constitution Review, stated this while hosting traditional leaders from Anioma region and the stakeholders’ movement for the proposed creation of Anioma State in his office in Abuja.

He emphasised the need for inclusivity, dialogue and regional consensus in the state creation process.

The lawmaker, however, said that the creation of a new state cannot be achieved in isolation.

According to him, it requires collaboration with governors and key stakeholders across both the South-East and South-South zones.

“You cannot do this without the governors of the South-East and the South-South. It is our duty to pass bills but critical stakeholders must be involved.

“If you ask me between having Anioma State and Anim State, I would prefer a fusion, to have Animoma state so that the two brothers can come together as one,” he said.

“Whoever is proposing in isolation must be ready to give up some and accept some, so that brothers can unite and work together.

“Anything outside this approach is a waste of time. There must be agreement—South-East accepting, South-South accepting—to move forward,” he stated.

Kalu urged the proponents of separate state to embrace compromise for the greater good, noting that unity would strengthen the case for state creation.

He pledged to continue to prioritise the creation of an additional state for the South-East zone.

Earlier, the delegation, led by the Lead Proponent of the movement for Anioma State, Sen. Ned Nwoko, said their mission was to show appreciation to the deputy speaker.

In his remarks, King of Ubulu-uno Delta, Henry Kikachukwu, said that the agitation for the creation of Anioma state was not for personal interest but a long overdue need to be rightfully and fully identified as Ndi Igbo.

“We are here to let you know that the quest for Anioma state has been on for so long, for many decades.

“We are Igbos and we want to be fully identified as Ndi Igbo. We need Anioma state to be created as the sixth state in the South-East,” Kikachukwu said. (NAN)