‘It is very unfair’ — Wike seeks additional state in south-east

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, has asked the national assembly to consider the creation of an additional state in the region.

Speaking on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the senate sub-committee on the constitutional amendment for the south-south, Wike said the creation of a new state in the region should be considered in the constitution review.

He also urged the national assembly to shun political interference in the ongoing constitutional review, adding that the focus should be on prioritising national interest.

“I think this is an opportunity for members of the national assembly to say they are working for the interest of Nigeria and not for the party they belong. Because at the end of the day, if anything happens to the country, you will all be affected,” he said.

“There is no way the south-east should continue to have only five states. It is very unfair. Since other regions have six states, the south-east should be made to have six states.”

George Sekibo, chairman of the senate ad hoc committee on the amendment of the constitution which covers Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, called for active participation of people in the region in the public hearing.

“The house of representatives and the senate alone cannot amend the constitution of the great country. So, we have come to reach out to our people to collate their views, and input they will make in the constitution,” he said.

“The constitution actually is supposed to be a law that is made by the people and so, we are here to collate views from major stakeholders in these three states and when we get back to Abuja, we will see how we can harmonise their views and those of other stakeholders already sent to us.”