Senate may create six new states

By Jackson Udom - 04.05.2008

THERE are strong indications that six additional states will be created when the Senate meets to consider applications for the creation of more states. Sunday Tribune gathered from a top Senate source that the clamour for the creation of more states is not limited to the South East geopolitical zone alone.“Though the zone is the only one with five states, their request will only see the light of the day in the National Assembly if the request from other zones are granted”,he said.

According to the South West politician, “agitation for the creation of more states is the fundamental right of all the zones and you can be assured that whenever the issue comes up for debate and consideration in the National Assembly, you will be taken into consideration”.

The source, who spoke with Sunday Tribune on condition of strict anonymity ,said “the creation of new states as demanded by the zone will not be an easy task, but it is our hope that God will see us through,” adding that “all the zones have their agenda, but the agenda of the South East is that of state creation to be at par with other zones.”

He disclosed that “the request of the South East zone for a new state will not be treated in isolation from requests for the creation of new states in other zones. That is the position in the Senate for now.”

He stated further that “the collation of signatories for that purpose has already commenced from the local government, the members of the state House of Assembly and other relevant levels so that we will speak with one voice for the creation of at least, one state from this zone.”