House of Reps Passes Bill to Create New State in Southeast, Details Emerge

• The bill seeking an additional state in the southeast region has passed its first reading at the House of Reps and currently awaiting a second reading
• The state, if created, will be known as ‘Orlu’, with its capital in Orlu, according to new reports
• The bill was sponsored by the member representing Ideato North/ Ideato South federal constituency, Ikenga Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, and 15 others

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The House of Representatives has taken a step toward creating a new state in the country's southeast geo-political zone.

During Thursday's plenary, lawmakers passed a bill for the first reading of the creation of Orlu state. It is now set for a second reading.

As reported by The Punch, the bill, seeking to alter the 1999 Constitution (as amended), was sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere, the member representing Ideato North/Ideato South federal constituency, Imo state, and 15 other lawmakers.

According to the draft bill, the creation of Orlu state will increase the number of states in the federation from 36 to 37, The Guardian reported.

Where the new state will be carved out

Also, the bill seeks an amendment by inserting a new paragraph immediately after the Ondo state and before the Osun state paragraph, which is to read as follows: State – Orlu, capital city - Orlu, Vanguard reported.

The new state will be carved out of the states of Imo, Abia, and Anambra and will have Orlu as its capital city.

LGAs that will be under Orlu state

According to the proposed legislation, local government areas that will form part of the proposed state include Orlu, Orsu, Oru West, Oru East, Ideato North, Ideato South, Njaba, Nkwerre, Nwangele and Isu. Others are Oguta, Ohaji Egbema, Onuimo, Ihiala, Uga, Ihiala, Uli, Ozubulu, Akokwa, Arondizuogu, Umuchu, Umunze, Umuaku.

Others are New Ideato North, Nwabosi West, Nwabosi East, Owerre Nkworji, Alaoma, Amaifeke, Owerrebiri Umuowa.

Reps receive Tinubu's proposal to increase salaries

In another development, Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded a bill to the House of Representatives to review and increase the salaries of the judicial officers.

Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker of the House of Representatives, disclosed the development in a letter by Tinubu, which was read during plenary.

Tinubu's 2024 budget included N342 billion for the judiciary, the highest the country has ever had.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng

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