Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has called for the creation of additional states in the South-East geopolitical zone to correct what he described as longstanding under-representation in Nigeria’s national institutions.
The governor made the appeal on Saturday during the South-East Zonal Public Hearing on the ongoing constitutional review process, covering Imo and Abia States. The hearing, held in Owerri, the Imo State capital, was attended by key stakeholders including government officials, political leaders, traditional rulers, religious figures, women’s groups, and civil society representatives.
Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, was represented at the event by his deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu.
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The National Assembly recently commenced zonal public hearings across the six geopolitical zones as part of efforts to collate inputs for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution. Key proposals include the creation of state police, electoral reforms, devolution of powers, and the restructuring of the federation.
Governor Uzodimma highlighted that the South-East remains the only zone in the country with five states, while others have six or more, a disparity he said has resulted in political and economic disadvantages.
“Every other zone has six or more states. This imbalance has led to under-representation in critical national institutions—from the National Assembly to the Federal Executive Council. It has shrunk our voice and abridged our inclusivity,” Uzodimma stated.
He strongly proposed the creation of Anim State, which he noted would qualify as an oil-producing state, thus making it commercially viable and capable of sustaining itself economically. He also advocated for the creation of new local government areas in the South-East to further enhance grassroots development and representation.
On national leadership, the governor supported calls for the presidency to rotate among the six geopolitical zones rather than the current north-south dichotomy. He further endorsed the creation of state police, arguing that the centralised policing system is often disconnected from local realities and security needs.
Uzodimma’s proposals drew attention to longstanding calls for equity, justice, and balanced development in Nigeria’s federal structure, especially from regions like the South-East that have consistently voiced concerns about marginalisation.
