By Anne Azuka
Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, says he will make the reintroduction of the Ethiope State Creation Bill a top legislative priority if he returns to the Senate in 2027.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications, Godwin Anaughe, Omo-Agege said efforts to advance the proposal during the 9th National Assembly were constrained by the position of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, which, according to him, did not support the creation of new states.
The former senator said that, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, he was informed that the executive would not back proposals for new states despite discussions on constitutional amendment requests.
Omo-Agege noted that state creation requires constitutional procedures, broad political support and cooperation between the National Assembly and the executive arm of government. He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu presents a fresh opportunity for the proposal and called on serving lawmakers representing Delta Central to sponsor the Ethiope State Creation Bill.
The statement also criticised Senator Ede Dafinone over his handling of the state creation campaign. Omo-Agege pledged to work with lawmakers, the presidency and other stakeholders to advance the creation of Ethiope State if the proposal is not realised before the 2027 general elections.
