Hon Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Committee on Constitution Review, has reaffirmed his backing for the creation of an additional state in the South-East. During a meeting with stakeholders from the Anioma State Movement, Kalu endorsed the demand while proposing the "Animoma" model as a framework for unifying the push. The proposal seeks to harmonise calls for state creation among Anioma communities straddling Delta and Imo states. Kalu described the model as a pragmatic approach to addressing marginalisation and ensuring equitable representation. He stressed that constitutional review remains a critical vehicle for addressing Nigeria's evolving governance needs. The Deputy Speaker assured the delegation of a transparent and inclusive amendment process under his committee's oversight.
Benjamin Kalu backing another state in the South-East does not shift the real power dynamic in federalism debates. His "Animoma" proposal, while framed as unifying, centres on a region already split across two states. For Nigerians in marginalised communities, symbolic support from lawmakers rarely translates to legislative momentum. This move may matter more for optics than outcome.
