Kalu pledges support for additional South-East state

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, on Wednesday renewed his support for the creation of an additional South-East State, calling on the promoters to consider the adoption of Anioma as a way forward.

Anioma is a combination of Anambra, Imo and the proposed Anioma State, a new state proposal for the Igbo-speaking part of the Delta.

Mr Kalu made this known while receiving stakeholders of the Anioma State Movement who were in his office on a courtesy visit on Wednesday.

According to him, the creation of a new state cannot be achieved in isolation, noting that the importance of collaboration with governors and key stakeholders across both the South-East and South-South regions cannot be overemphasised.

“You can’t do this without the governors of the South-East and 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—Animoma—so that the two brothers can come together as one,” he said.

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

“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

On the issue of the proposed state capital, Kalu said that the location would emerge through negotiation and democratic consensus.

The Deputy Speaker further noted that while the proposal is achievable, its success depends on stakeholders’ willingness to engage constructively and promptly.

He highlighted the importance of a humanitarian approach in the discussions, noting that the process requires patience, understanding, and empathy.

The Deputy Speaker assured that, as Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, he would continue to prioritise the creation of an additional state for the South-East, while commending Sen. Ned Nwoko for his relentless advocacy for the Anioma cause.

Kalu outlined key criteria that must guide state creation efforts, including geographical considerations, historical and cultural identity, economic viability, political dynamics, and regional alignment.

“We must ask: who are our neighbours? Who is joining us? Why should they join us? These are the core indicators we must evaluate as we move forward,” he added.

Earlier, the delegation led by the lead proponent of the movement for Anioma State, Sen Ned Nwoko, said their mission is to commend Kalu for his effort in repositioning the South-East in the nation’s political equation.

In his remarks, King of Ubulu-uno Delta, His Royal Highness Henry Kikachukwu, said that the agitation for Anioma State is not a personal interest but a long overdue need to rightfully and fully identify as Ndi Igbo.

“We are here to let you know that the quest for Anioma has been so long. So many decades. We are Igbos, and we want to fully identify as Ndi Igbo. We need Anioma to be created as the sixth state in the South-East,” he said.

Culled from punch