A bill seeking to create a new state, Etiti, out of the existing Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states in the South East region has passed its first reading in the House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah and four other lawmakers from the affected communities, the proposed state will have 11 local government areas with Lokpanta as its headquarters.
The bill aims to alter sections 3, 4, and 5 of the 1999 Constitution to accommodate the new state, renaming the 36 states to 37 and inserting Etiti after Enugu in the list of states.
The affected local government areas are Isuikwuato, Umu-Nneochi (Abia), Orumba North, Orumba South (Anambra), Ivo, Ohaozara (Ebonyi), Aninri, Agwu, Oji River (Enugu), and Okigwe, Onuimo (Imo).
The bill’s passage marks a significant step towards the creation of Etiti state, pending further readings and approvals.