Former senator advocates additional state for South East

Sen. Chris Adighije, a former lawmaker who represented Abia Central in the 2nd National Assembly, has called on the Federal Government to adopt the doctrine of necessity to create additional states in the South East.

Adighije made the call in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to him, if the additional state is created for the Southeast, making the region have six states, it will reflect the meaning and understanding of the old national anthem reintroduced to the polity.

He emphasised the second stanza of the national anthem, “Our flag shall be a symbol that truth and justice reign.”.

He said that he aligned with others, especially the Apex Southeast socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo that had been advocating the creation of Anioma State

According to him, the creation of Anioma state will bring the number of states in the South East to six.

It would be recalled that the creation of an additional state in the South East has taken centre stage in the National Assembly, with different groups suggesting different names.

Also, the constitutional provision, especially Chapter 1, Sections 8 and 9, has always been a major issue in the debate for the creation of additional states in the South East.

Adighije said, “The Federal Government should overlook the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and create an additional state in the South East with the doctrine of necessity.

”For truth and justice and to build a nation where no zone is oppressed, the doctrine of necessity becomes expedient and ought to be invoked, as has been the case in the past when we had a constitutional crisis.

“The creation of such a state in the South East will bring to light the meaning and understanding of the old national anthem reintroduced to the polity. It is here that the issue of truth and justice will have meaning.

“And I also believe that Anioma State is more apt for the South East in geography and culture.”