Benjamin Kalu Achieves Creation of Additional State in South East
In a historic development, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR, has successfully championed the creation of an additional state in Nigeria’s South East geopolitical zone. The milestone, achieved through the ongoing constitutional review process, marks a major step toward addressing long-standing calls for equity and inclusion in the nation’s federal structure.
The development follows years of advocacy from stakeholders across the region who have consistently called for balanced state representation among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. With this breakthrough, the South East, which has long operated with the fewest states, will now enjoy a more equitable platform in national governance and resource allocation.
Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, was instrumental in driving consensus among lawmakers, state assemblies, and other critical stakeholders to achieve the landmark outcome. His leadership and bridge-building approach were credited for transforming a decades-old aspiration into reality.
Reacting to the development, Kalu described the creation of the new state as “a victory for fairness, unity, and national balance,” affirming that it underscores the National Assembly’s commitment to justice and inclusivity in the federation.
The constitutional amendment bill for the new state now awaits final assent, marking a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution and the political history of the South East.
