By Ihechi Enyinnaya
A high-ranking officer of the National Assembly has revealed strong reasons why Etiti State stands a better chance of being created as the long-awaited sixth state for the South-East geopolitical zone, instead of Anioma State.
Speaking to Daily Review Online the source, who prefers not to be named, said the proposal for Etiti State, which has already scaled through the committee stage in the House of Representatives, represents a more balanced and equitable restructuring of the South-East region. The officer explained that the state would unify border communities currently spread across five existing South-Eastern states, thereby promoting regional cohesion, balanced development, and administrative efficiency.
Etiti State, as proposed, will draw its local government areas from five states in the region — Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu. The proposed LGAs include Okigwe, Onuimo, Isiala Mbano, Ehime Mbano, Obowo, Ihitte/Uboma, and Ideato North from Imo; Isuikwuato and Umunneochi from Abia; Onicha, Ohaozara, and Ivo from Ebonyi; Orumba North and Orumba South from Anambra; as well as Awgu, Oji River, and Aninri from Enugu State.
In contrast, the source noted that the proposal for Anioma State — which includes Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, and Ukwuani — would not resolve the fundamental issue of geopolitical imbalance. This is because the Anioma territory is located in Delta State, a part of the South-South region, and its creation would not directly benefit the South-East’s longstanding demand for parity with other zones that already have six states.
Furthermore, the National Assembly official emphasized that Etiti State’s creation would restore historical and cultural connections among Igbo-speaking communities separated by state boundaries in 1976 and 1991. The move, he said, would “strengthen the Igbo socio-political identity within the constitutional framework of Nigeria and enhance federal presence across rural zones that have been underserved for decades.”
He also pointed out that Etiti’s geographic centrality makes it more viable for administrative coordination and economic development, linking key commercial routes between Imo, Abia, and Enugu States. This, he added, would encourage infrastructural expansion and reduce regional tensions over resource allocation.
“In truth,” the lawmaker concluded, “the creation of Etiti State is not just about political compensation — it is about justice, balance, and unity in the South-East. Anioma, though culturally related, is already within the South-South structure. Etiti would complete the true federal balance our people have long yearned for.”
Both Etiti State and Anioma State have scaled approval at the committee levels of the National Assembly. However, only one of them will ultimately be selected for creation as Nigeria’s 37th state in the coming year.
Proposed LGAs for ETITI STATE
IMỌ STATE:
• Okigwe
• Onuimo
• Isiala Mbano
• Ehime Mbano
• Obowo
• Ihitte/Uboma
• Ideato North
ABIA STATE:
• Isuikwuato
• Umunneochi
EBONYI STATE:
• Onicha
• Ohaozara
• Ivo
ANAMBRA STATE:
• Orumba North
• Orumba South
ENUGU STATE:
• Awgu
• Oji River
• Aninri
Proposed LGAs for ANIOMA STATE (Delta North)
• Aniocha North
• Aniocha South
• Ika North East
• Ika South
• Ndokwa East
• Ndokwa West
• Oshimili North
• Oshimili South
• Ukwuani