A major political breakthrough has emerged in the South East following a late-night harmonisation meeting in Abuja, where lawmakers from Imo State and the wider region reached a historic consensus on a single proposal for the creation of a new state.
Announcing the development shortly after 11:30 p.m. on December 2, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Member representing Ideato Federal Constituency and co-signatory to the proposal, said the agreement marked “the greater good of our people” and a long-awaited step toward addressing the geopolitical imbalance in the region.
According to Ugochinyere, the lawmakers met with Senator Osita Izunaso and other Imo legislators to harmonise competing proposals—including his earlier demand for an Orlu State—into one unified blueprint that guarantees strong political representation for Ideato and parts of Orlu Zone.
“After an extensive meeting with our Distinguished Senator Osita Izunaso, alongside my other colleagues from Imo State wherein Ideato Federal Constituency interest is captured and assured in the proposed state—which will see Ideato emerging as a Senatorial Zone with a few other LGAs from Orlu zone (Nkwerre & Nwangele) and more Federal Constituencies and LGAs—I, alongside the entire lawmakers from Imo State, unanimously signed and adopted this new state as the consensus we will be backing,” he said.
Ugochinyere explained that the adopted proposal captures the original intention behind his Orlu State demand, aligning with the long-standing agenda for a state to be created from the old Imo–Anambra bloc.
“This proposal captures the agenda of a long overdue state for the South East… which was the reason for my Orlu State proposal that has now been harmonised into the unified blueprint,” he stated.
He added that just minutes after sealing unanimity among Imo lawmakers, the joint proposal was presented to South East legislators in the National Assembly, who voted overwhelmingly to adopt it as the region’s official demand for state creation. Voting on secondary options—Adada and Anioma—is ongoing, he noted.
Expressing gratitude for the collective sacrifice that produced the long-sought consensus, Ugochinyere praised Senator Izunaso, Imo lawmakers, and all South East legislators for putting regional interest above individual preferences.
“I thank my brother Senator Osita Izunaso and my honourable colleagues from Imo State and the entire Southeast for the show of love, consensus, sacrifice, and understanding that has brought the weeks of searching for consensus and harmonisation to an end,” he said.
“The critical point here is that no matter our desires, the interest of our people must always remain supreme. The East has spoken and we hope our brothers from different parts of the country will join this struggle to ensure that we reach the desired destination.”
Ugochinyere concluded with a call for national support, invoking blessings on Nigeria, the South East, Imo State, the proposed new state, and the proposed Ideato Senatorial Zone.
“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God bless South East Region. God bless Imo State. God bless the proposed state. God bless the proposed Ideato Senatorial Zone. God bless Ideato Federal Constituency,” he declared.
