Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has given his support for the creation of an additional state in the South-East.

To this end, he proposed a unifying factor as a practical solution to longstanding agitations for the new state creation.

Kalu, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Constitution Review, confirmed his support for the proposal, while receiving stakeholders of the Anioma State Movement at the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday.

He, however, emphasised that the process of state creation must be driven by inclusivity, dialogue along with regional consensus, even as he warned against unilateral efforts.

According to Kalu, “collaboration with governors and critical stakeholders across the South-East and South-South regions is essential for any proposal to succeed.”

The deputy speaker equally observed that a fusion of interests through the ‘Animoma’ concept could bridge divides and strengthen the case for immediate approval by the president.

“You cannot do this without the governors of the South-East and South-South,” he told the delegation.

Kalu, therefore, called on the proponents of the new state creation to embrace compromise, urging them to always demonstrate unity of purpose among all the stakeholders in the struggle.

He also advised traditional rulers whom he described as custodians of the people to talk and persuade their subjects to be  lawabiding, adding that any push pursued in isolation would likely fail.

Speaking earlier, leaders of the Anioma movement, including traditional and community representatives, described the demand as a decades-long quest rooted in identity and inclusion, insisting that the creation of Anioma State would affirm their place within the Igbo nation and address historical concerns.