Anambra gubernatorial candidate Osita Chidoka demands 6th southeast state
- Former minister of aviation, Osita Chidoka, has called for the creation of a sixth state for the southeast region
- Chidoka said that would be his first and main agenda once he secures the governorship seat in Anambra state
- He said the new state will bridge the disparity faced by the Igbo people within the country
A candidate in the forthcoming Anambra gubernatorial election, Osita Chidoka, has called for the creation of a sixth state in the southeast region.
Chidoka said the new state will bridge the disparity faced by the Igbo people within the country.
Speaking during the flag-off of his campaign for the November 18 election, Chidoka, a former minister of aviation and corps marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps said, with his election into office as Anambra state governor, he will begin the agenda for the state creation.
He said his call for the creation of a new state for the southeast will be in line with the provisions of Section 8 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
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He said: “While we salute all those who through one legitimate way or the other have pursued the struggle, we state today that we are stepping into a new frontier."
He cautioned that the voices of the Igbo people cannot be heard on the street but through calculated constitutional steps.
Chidoka who is contesting for governorship seat on the platform of the United Progressive Party (UPP) said: "It will rather be won with a determined engagement of our institutions of government and with other Nigerians who feel aggrieved to redefine the meaning of Nigeria and remove the inequalities that have fanned the embers of discord, and restructure our nation along the lines of justice, equality and fairness."
“To this end, my election as governor of Anambra State, will start off with a single agenda; an agenda to secure a new state for the southeast region to bridge the disparity we face.
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We will immediately, upon inauguration, in line with Section 8 (1) of the 1999 constitution get our National Assembly members from Anambra state, our elected House of Assembly members, and local government chairmen to sign a request to the National Assembly asking for a referendum for the sixth Southeast state.
“We will vigorously engage our friends from other states in the National Assembly and other states House of Assembly for a new state. Nigeria must take a decision on the issue of additional state for the southeast before the end of tenure of the 8th Assembly and the 2019 election," the former minister added.
He further announced that when the new southeast state is created he will be ready for another election.
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Legit.ng previously reported that the former minister urged the federal government to lift the ban placed on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), its leader and members.
Chidoka said the proscription of the group as a terrorist organisation would not strengthen the unity of Nigeria.
He also maintained that there are no terrorists among the Igbo people are declared by the federal government.
Watch Legit.ng TV video of Nnamdi Kanu's father talking about the activities of his son as IPOB's leader:
Source: Legit.ng