Senator Osita Izunaso representing Imo west has reiterated the call for Orlu to be considered as a state following the move for an additional state in the southeast by the house of representatives.
Izunaso made the disclosure while addressing newsmen during his empowerment programme in Owerri at the weekend.
According to him, Orlu is best qualified to be considered as a state from the southeast following its large local government areas.
He said “It’s very possible and realistic, we just have to get started, you know in Nigeria today virtually every zone has six states, northwest has seven states, it’s only southeast that has five states.
“My colleagues at the national assembly will agree with me that we deserve another state and if we deserve another state, it has to come from old Imo state and that’s why we’re talking about Orlu state.
“Orlu zone has twelve local government, it’s bigger than about eight states in Nigeria, there are some states that have eight local governments, Bayelsa has eight local governments, Gombe has eleven local governments, Ebonyi has 13 local governments, so we’re overripe to be a state with twelve solid local governments, having boundaries with River, Delta, Anambra, Imo, Enugu and Abia states.
“Orlu is an oil producing area, so in terms of resources we’re qualified, in terms of population we’re qualified, so we’re going to push for it and I believe that by the grace of God, we would get it.
Meanwhile, the leader of the United Eastern Region Congress, (UERC) Sam Ike has commended the national assembly for the motion in support of an additional State in southeast.
Ike in a statement in Owerri said they believe an additional state in the zone was long overdue, adding that other zones in the country were not bigger than some states in southeast in population and local government areas, which were already recognised as a state.
He said “I want to commend Ugochinyere and other sponsors of the bill, it’s a welcome development and it’s long overdue. Look at Okigwe, it should be regarded as a state but we’re a happy if this comes to fruition” Ike said.
