Bill for 6th South-East State Passes Second Reading, Name, Location Emerge

• A bill seeking the creation of the sixth state in the South-East geopolitical zone has passed its second reading
• The bill is now under consideration by the Nigerian Senate Committee on Constitutional Review
• Senator Osita Izunaso, representing Imo West, shared more details about the name of the proposed new state and location

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues

FCT, Abuja - The Senate Committee on Constitutional Review is considering the bill seeking the creation of a new state in the South-East geopolitical zone.

The South-East is the only geopolitical zone with five states, while the North-West has seven states. The North-East, North-Central, South-West, and South-South zones each have six states.

The bill passed its second reading in the Nigerian Senate on Friday, June 13, 2025.

Senator Osita Izunaso, representing Imo West, said the proposed state, tentatively named ANIM State will be carved out from parts of Anambra and Imo States.

As reported by The Punch, Izunaso made this known during a media parley in Abuja on Friday, June 13, 2025.

Izunaso stated that he was excited about the development of the southeast getting a new state.

“It’s not a favour, it’s a matter of equity. Every other region in the country has six states, except the South-East, which has only five.”

“We’re not asking for too much, just for the balance Nigeria’s federal character demands,”

Senator Izunaso said the creation of the proposed ANIM State will go through due constitutional process, including a referendum, and would not be imposed.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) senator said it would be unfair for anybody to protest against the proposed new state in the southeast.

He warned that the South-East cannot continue to remain a minority in the regional standing of the country.

“You can’t create a state by fiat. The People must agree through a referendum. That’s how democracy works. But the South-East must not continue to remain structurally disadvantaged.”

Uzor Kalu mentions 6th Southeast State

Recall that Abia North Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu gave his view on where a sixth Southeast state should be created from in the region.

Senator Kalu said Anioma people from Delta State should become the sixth state for the Igbo-speaking people.

He argued that the South-East is the only zone in Nigeria with only five states and the Anioma people are Igbos.

House of Reps gives update on 31 proposed state

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Nigeria's House of Representatives gave an update on requests to create new states.

Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, said no state creation requests had met the constitutional requirements.

According to the senator, the committee had extended the submission date to Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Source: Legit.ng