A high-powered delegation of political figures from Abia State led by Chief. Theo Nkire met in Abuja yesterday to further push for the long-awaited creation of Aba State from the south-east zone.
The strategic meeting, held at the residence of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, reignited the decades-old agitation that dates back to 1954 — making Aba the oldest statehood demand in Nigeria’s history.
According to sources at the gathering, the delegation emphasised that the Aba State Movement has met all constitutional requirements for state creation as outlined in Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution. They recalled that in June 1983, both chambers of the National Assembly approved a referendum for Aba’s creation, a process that has stalled to date.
“This is a constitutional and moral question,” one of the attendees was quoted as saying. “Every region has been fairly represented except the South-East. It is only just that Aba State is created as the 6th state in the South-East.”
Historical Backing and Renewed Momentum
The push for Aba State was one of four recommendations from the South-East during the 2014 National Conference, while each of the other geopolitical zones received three approved state proposals. Similarly, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in 2018 endorsed Aba as the sixth State for the South-East and made formal recommendations to the Buhari administration
Proponents of the new state argue that Aba is not only historically deserving but also economically viable — with its strong industrial base, commercial network, and a population united in its resolve since the 1950s.
A Political and Constitutional Window Opens
The renewed push comes at a time when the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Constitutional Review has expressed readiness to address regional imbalances. The committee, co-chaired by Deputy Speaker Hon. Ben Kalu and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau recently concluded a two-day session where members reportedly agreed on the need to create an additional state in the South-East.
Presently, the South-East remains the only geopolitical zone with five states, compared to six in other regions and seven in the North-West.
The Aba State Movement delegation to Abuja included HRM. Eze Love Nwogu, HRM Tony Wabara, Chief Godfrey Akara, and Alhaji Musa Iheakaram
Also, in attendance at the Aba meeting were Senator Nkechi Nwaogu , Chief Sam Nkire (Member of National Caucus, APC) Member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Munachim Alozie, Nyerere Anyim, former Pencom executive, former NALDA boss, Prince Paul Ikonne, Rt. Hon Uzo Azubuike and a host of other big-wigs from 9 out of 17 local governments of Abia State, lending their voices to what they described as a “historic and unifying cause.”
With the constitution review process gathering momentum, stakeholders believe the moment may finally be right for Aba to achieve the statehood status it has pursued for over seven decades.
“Aba State is not just an agitation; it’s an unfinished national promise,” said Barrister Nkire. “It’s time to correct the imbalance and reward the perseverance of our people.”
