NewStats: 3,261,893 , 8,175,487 topics. Date: Friday, 30 May 2025 at 10:47 PM 6t453j

Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership and former minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, has disclosed that the South East has lost an estimated N17.4 trillion over the past 29 years due to the absence of a sixth state, which would have contributed significantly to federal allocations and local government revenue.

This staggering figure, adjusted for inflation and devaluation, highlights the region‘s ongoing economic and political marginalisation, with profound implications for representation, federal receipts, and governance.

A statement by his special assistant on media, Ikechukwu Okafor, said he said this during his address at the Otu Oka-Iwu (Association of Igbo Lawyers) event on December 13, 2024.

He emphasised that the Southeast has suffered significant financial losses, amounting to 17.4 trillion Naira, due to the lack of a sixth state, which would have brought in additional federal allocations and expanded local government revenue.

“The absence of a sixth state in the Southeast is not just a political oversight but a direct financial loss for our region. Over the past 29 years, the Southeast has lost over 17 trillion Naira, which could have fueled economic development, improved infrastructure, and enhanced our political representation in the National Assembly,” Chidoka stated. “This loss is unsustainable, and it is time for us to come together and take the necessary steps to stop these ongoing losses.”

Chidoka, former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, called on Southeast leaders to unite and follow the constitutional process for state creation.

He reminded the region that the process, as stipulated in Section 8(1) of the 1999 Constitution, involves the following steps: (1) A formal request for the creation of a new state, ed by at least a two-thirds majority of the Senate, House of Representatives, State House of Assembly, and local government councils in the affected area.

“(2) Approval through a referendum, where at least two-thirds of the people in the affected area must the creation of the new state.

“(3) Approval by a simple majority of all states and their respective Houses of Assembly; and (4) Final approval by a two-thirds majority of both chambers of the National Assembly.”

“Now is the time for the Southeast to formally request the creation of the sixth state, following the prescribed constitutional process. This is the only way to stop the representation and federal allocation losses,” Chidoka added.

He urged Southeast leaders to play national politics, putting aside internal divisions, and work together to secure the region‘s future. „We must stop crying about the absence of the sixth state and instead focus on what is required to make it a reality. The Southeast must place the burden on the Nigerian state to officially recognise our need for equitable representation, resources, and political power,“ he concluded.

The event also featured Senator Ned Nwoko, who ionately advocated for creating Anioma State as the sixth Igbo state, expanding Igboland, and contributing 9,000 square kilometres to the Southeast. Senator Nwoko emphasised the need for the Southeast to strengthen its territorial and political influence by creating a new state fostering greater unity and development.

Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, also spoke at the event, highlighting the political will required to secure the creation of the sixth state for the Southeast. He called for concerted efforts and commitment from the region‘s political leadership to ensure that the demand for the new state is taken seriously and given the momentum needed for successful implementation.


Chief Osita Chidoka‘s call for action on creating the sixth state is a change in narrative and request for action on the Southeast leadership. Leaders in the region must now take the necessary steps to ensure the creation of the sixth state, reversing decades of underrepresentation and underdevelopment.

https://leadership.ng/south-east-loses-n17-4trn-due-to-absence-of-6th-state-chidoka/?utm_source=&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2fqPzoFVHx2-kFw19gIJFpe_he8DAxjDICMRlr2mawsGVoFDAD4HvQ5TI_aem_iI3UNECnsBA00BJkIe-Kcw

Noneroone:


https://leadership.ng/south-east-loses-n17-4trn-due-to-absence-of-6th-state-chidoka/?utm_source=&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2fqPzoFVHx2-kFw19gIJFpe_he8DAxjDICMRlr2mawsGVoFDAD4HvQ5TI_aem_iI3UNECnsBA00BJkIe-Kcw

Nlfpmod Mynd44 Fergie001

Silly with tiny land mass and low population how will another state be created in a region = oyo state and 10m of citizens outside the zone .this just to wipe sentiments among the Major ethnic grouping IBO are least populated but very economically successful.

Educationalserv:
Silly with tiny land mass and low population how will another state be created in a region = oyo state and 10m of citizens outside the zone .this just to wipe sentiments among the Major ethnic grouping IBO are least populated but very economically successful.

IMO GDP is almost same size as Oyo and. Ogun combined... It's only in Nigeria yhat states are creates via landmass primitive mindset

The South East region doesn't need any 6th state. Instead, create Anioma State from Delta State and make it the region's 6th state.

mrvitalis:

IMO GDP is almost same size as Oyo and. Ogun combined... It's only in Nigeria yhat states are creates via landmass primitive mindset

selective picking of data will not help your points . Same IMO has the lowest VAT generation next to zamfara how do you marry that with your GDP size claims?

hmmmm...oya calculate the lose from monday sit at home... den add am 2geder..

Educationalserv:
Silly with tiny land mass and low population how will another state be created in a region = oyo state and 10m of citizens outside the zone .this just to wipe sentiments among the Major ethnic grouping IBO are least populated but very economically successful.

Anioma state with a landmass of about 9000skm is about the size of Lagos and ekiti put together and about the size of osun. The state also dwarfs all southwest states in human and natural resources. I struggle to understand your reference to the word 'tiny' except, of course it's about a certain brain that made the reference.

They deserve a refund now.

There is no doubt that the South East is being unjustly deprived of what rightfully belongs to them, but they have remained patriotic.

Tinubu, the South West, however, is not as unjustly deprived, yet Tinubu has stated that he doesn't believe in One Nigeria.

Educationalserv:
Silly with tiny land mass and low population how will another state be created in a region = oyo state and 10m of citizens outside the zone .this just to wipe sentiments among the Major ethnic grouping IBO are least populated but very economically successful.

I don't creation of another state inside South East due to small landmass. Instead they should add another state like Anioma State.

But saying that Igbos are least populated is very wrong and don't say that again because it will only show you're ignorant.

Do you know the number of Igbos all over Nigeria?. Many don't even return back to east again.

If you go outside africa, Igbo still full everywhere.

No Nigerian or tribe will say he/she have not come across Igbo man in his area. But many people in the north have never met yoruba man in their community or town. They only hear about some tribes on news or media unlike Igbos.

The most populated tribes in Nigeria is Hausa and Igbo. Don't allow anyone confuse you

Naso....we need a separate country not a state with a thief as governor and law breakers as lawmakers

What amount then do the others zones lose by not having more states that are merited by their population and regional size?

Whoever said every region must have 6 states?

The NorthWest has 7 states.

5-plot Republic wan turn 6-plot Republic.

Clowns are trying to grab lands by force.

Even after grabbing the 6th land, they would still want to grab more.

Greed is in their DNA.

Anioma ko, Igodomigodo state ni

We have to create more

Stories

Some states are already like Local government in other states.
Where una wan create the 6th state from... .

Last I checked Niger state is bigger than the entire South-East so also Bornu and many other states.
Ogun, Oyo, etc.
Nothing will change even if you create 10 states out of the dot nation.

The 5 they have has a landmass that's just 1 state in some other regions.

I however, think they all should use their voice to ask for an Independent Nation rather so that the 'Marginalization' can stop and nobody will be able to hold them back from developing their region.

You dey fight to stand but dey claim say dem no want make you go. No be Iberiberism be that?

How much will it be contributing to Nigeria?

Noneroone:


https://leadership.ng/south-east-loses-n17-4trn-due-to-absence-of-6th-state-chidoka/?utm_source=&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2fqPzoFVHx2-kFw19gIJFpe_he8DAxjDICMRlr2mawsGVoFDAD4HvQ5TI_aem_iI3UNECnsBA00BJkIe-Kcw

which sixth state.

For what?

All the 5plots are not enough to be a local government!!!

Educationalserv:
selecting picking of data will not help you points . Same IMO has the lowest VAT generation next to zamfara how do you marry that you GDP size ?

Oga there is no where on earth economic strength is judged by revenue collection ability

I know you don't basic economics but there is absolutely no where on earth economic strength is judged by VAT

In fact low revenue is a known strategy to grow economy... That's the idea of Tax-heavens

Go school una say no educate yourself you say no

Noneroone:


https://leadership.ng/south-east-loses-n17-4trn-due-to-absence-of-6th-state-chidoka/?utm_source=&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2fqPzoFVHx2-kFw19gIJFpe_he8DAxjDICMRlr2mawsGVoFDAD4HvQ5TI_aem_iI3UNECnsBA00BJkIe-Kcw

Can you imagine this!

,

Definitely it is not Tinubu that will give you, and because I know you are not bastards, so I know you will not ask your enemy Tinubu for food or for a State

Every region can't have the equal number of States .
Akamkpa , an L.G.A in cross river ,south-south Nigeria has a land mass bigger than Lagos State so in that case South South is supposed to have at least Ten states .
How much are they losing?

fabolouz1:
Every region can't have the equal number of States .
Akamkpa , an L.G.A in cross river ,south-south Nigeria has a land mass bigger than Lagos State so in that case South South is supposed to have at least Ten states .
How much are they losing?

The total land mass of Igbo land which currently has 5 states is less than the land mass of Niger State alone, so should Niger State be divided into 10 states?

Educationalserv:
Silly with tiny land mass and low population how will another state be created in a region = oyo state and 10m of citizens outside the zone .this just to wipe sentiments among the Major ethnic grouping IBO are least populated but very economically successful.

Close your borehole mouth if you don't have anything good to contribute!

Educationalserv:
selecting picking of data will not help you points . Same IMO has the lowest VAT generation next to zamfara how do you marry that you GDP size ?

Go and get educated on VAT.

The current VAT system is flawed. It is not generated from point of sale.

Some of you are ignoramus and you are tagging Chidoka's post as silly when you be olodo.

Its not true ,








Princess FaithChukwu

Which yardstick did he use to arrive at this figure.

All these politicians sef

Even the 5 landlocked economic desert that they have was just given to them for God knows y cos all those 5 God forsaken plots is just a little bigger than Ibadan city

These mugu wants additional one state

No b craze b that?

These people are just alien to the truth. 6th state for that tiny region with low population and infrastructure. Well, nobody takes them serious. They should continue to lament.