Governors, traditional rulers and political leaders from the South-East geo-political zone met in Enugu, weekend, with a resolve to pursue the proposed creation of additional states in the region as recommended by the just concluded National Conference.
They also passed a vote of confidence on the delegates from the zone for a good performance at the conference.
Rising from the meeting, chairman, South-East Governors Forum, Chief Theodore Orji of Abia State, said: “We met to review the outcome of the just concluded confab. We summoned the meeting to find out whether the delegates performed according to our mandate.
“Those delegates did very well in articulating our points. Those points are contained in a document that had been presented to the President, prominent among them is the issue of creation of states. It is sensitive to the zone and they were in a position to argue for additional state for the south-east zone.
“Topmost is to give us, one additional state, to bring us at par with other zones in the country. So, we are happy with them and that is why we have come to get briefs from them. They have told us and we are satisfied. If there are amendments, it will come later.”
On the issue of security, Governor Orji said: “We are doing our best to ensure that every state in the Eouth-East is putting everything in place to make sure that lives and property are protected. You can attest that there is a decrease in the incidence of kidnapping, armed robbery in this zone.
“It is as a result of efforts, the South-East governors are making. The last time we met here, we told you that we are making efforts jointly to purchase a tracking equipment that will boost security in the region. The effort is still on. When it comes on board, it will help us.”
Governors in attendance were host, Sullivan Chime,Enugu State; Martin Elechi, Ebonyi; Deputy Governor, Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, and Chief Willie Obiano of Anambra State.
Other dignitaries include Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Senator Ayogu Eze, Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Eugene Odoh, Chief Mbazuruike Amaechi, National Vice Chairman, PDP, Col. Austin Akobundu and Minister for Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Nwogu.
The creation of new states was one of the decisions taken by the delegates at their plenary while considering the report of the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government, while Aba State is to be carved out of the present Abia State, according to the recommendation.
Apart from the 18 new states proposed, the Conference said a separate state, yet-to-be named, should be carved out of the South-East to bring the number of the states in the zone to six. Vanguard













































