The House of Representatives’ plan to establish just six states for the South East has been denied by the (SEYSF).
When compared to other geographic zones, which have six or more states, the South East is at a disadvantage with only five states under the existing Nigerian political system, SEYSF Spokesman Gerald Nwaorisa said.
“We insist that the region deserves seven states to achieve parity with other regions in Nigeria.
“This imbalance has led to political, economic, and developmental marginalization of the region over the years.
“While we acknowledge the attempt to address this historical injustice through the proposed creation of additional states, we categorically reject any proposal that falls short of ensuring equity and fairness.
“To this end, we demand the creation of a seventh state for the South East to align with other regions and uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and national unity.
“We call on our leaders in the National Assembly, State Governors, political leaders, and all stakeholders to reject this proposal and ensure that the South East is not shortchanged again.
“Any attempt to deny the region its rightful number of states will be seen as a deliberate act of continued marginalization.”