By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has reaffirmed his support for the creation of an additional state in the South-East, putting forward the ‘Animoma’ proposal as a possible middle ground to advance the long-running debate.
Kalu, who also chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, made his position known during a meeting with representatives of the Anioma State Movement, stressing that any progress on state creation must be driven by broad consultation and shared understanding.
He underscored the need for inclusiveness, noting that such a significant constitutional change requires careful dialogue and agreement among affected regions.
The Deputy Speaker further pointed out that the process cannot be pursued in isolation, highlighting the importance of working closely with state governors and other critical stakeholders across both the South-East and South-South to build the necessary consensus.
He urged proponents of separate state to embrace compromise for the greater good, noting that unity would strengthen the case for state creation.
“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.
“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 said.
On the issue of the proposed state capital, Kalu said that the location will emerge through negotiation and democratic consensus.
The Deputy Speaker further noted that while the proposal is achievable, its success depends on the willingness of stakeholders 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 prioritize the creation of an additional state for the South-East, while commending Sen. Ned Nwoko for his relentless advocacy for the Anioma cause.
He 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 show appreciation to the Deputy Speaker.
In their separate remarks, King of Ubulu-Uno Delta, HRM Henry Kikachukwu and President of Izu Anioma, Evang Dr. RCD Nwadavid 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,” Nwadavid said