Ebonyi Governor Backs Creation of Etiti State for South East Region

Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru

From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has expressed strong support for the creation of the proposed Etiti State in the South East region.

He stated that the establishment of the new state would help correct the long-standing imbalance in Nigeria’s federal system of governance.

Governor Nwifuru disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday after presiding over the weekly meeting of the State Executive Council, held at the Executive Council Chambers, Centenary City, Abakaliki.

According to him, the South East deserves an additional state to bring the region at par with other geopolitical zones in the country.

“Yes, I would like another state to be created in the South East because it is a necessity for the region, and it will help address the imbalance we have witnessed over the years,” he said.

The South East remains the only region among the six geopolitical zones with five states, while others have six or more.

On the proposed plan to cede three local government areas from Ebonyi to form the new state, the governor said he had not been officially informed of such a move.

“I am no longer in the legislature; I am now in the executive,” “I have not seen any document on that, and I cannot respond to a document I have not seen,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, residents of Abakaliki who spoke to Insideoutnews also expressed support for the creation of Etiti State, describing it as a welcome development for the South East region.

Earlier, a federal lawmaker representing the Ezza South and Ikwo Federal Constituency had expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu would assent to the creation of a new state for the South East zone.