The Digest:
Stakeholders from the South East have responded to a National Assembly committee's recommendation to create one new state per geopolitical zone, arguing it fails to address the region's structural deficit and widens the inequality gap.
Key Points:
- A NASS joint committee has recommended creating six new states, one per zone.
- This would raise the national total from 36 to 42 states.
- The South East, currently with five states, would get a sixth.
- Stakeholders argue this still leaves them behind regions that will have seven or eight.
- Elder statesman Dr. Chike Obidigbo warned against divisive tactics in the process.
- Analyst Dr. Chuka Nnabuife called for two states in the South East to achieve balance.
- The debate highlights deep-seated issues of structural equity and political representation.
Sources: Daily Post
