Deputy Speaker Kalu, Senate Caucus, Governors, Others to Meet South East New State Proponents November 14
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR, alongside key lawmakers and political leaders from the South East, is set to meet with proponents of the creation of a new state in the region as part of ongoing wide-ranging consultations.
The strategic engagement, scheduled for November 14, 2025, will take place in one of the South East state capitals and will convene a broad coalition of stakeholders, including members of the National Assembly, governors, Speakers and Deputy Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, ministers, and heads of federal agencies from the region.
According to a statement issued after a high-level meeting between the Deputy Speaker and the South East Caucus of the Senate on Monday, the forum will provide an avenue for proponents of the new state to present their case and for stakeholders to harmonize positions ahead of parliamentary consideration.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Osita Isunaso, saw lawmakers reaffirm their resolve to adopt a united stance on state creation before submitting a final position to the National Assembly for debate and voting.
A similar consultative engagement had earlier been held at the House of Representatives, during which lawmakers agreed that the process must involve both chambers of the National Assembly to ensure alignment.
It will be recalled that the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review, during its Lagos retreat held two weeks ago and co-chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, and the Deputy Speaker, approved the creation of an additional state in the South East to bring the region at par with other geopolitical zones.
Signed:
Levinus Nwabughiogu
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker,
House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria
