The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have firmly rejected the proposed bill aimed at establishing a new state in the South-East. On Thursday, IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful stated that the Igbo people seek a referendum for secession from Nigeria, rather than the creation of additional states.
The bill in question, which passed its first reading in the House of Representatives, is spearheaded by Ikenga Ugochinyere, the representative for Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency in Imo State, along with other sponsors. This proposal seeks to create Orlu State by amending the 1999 Constitution, increasing the number of states in Nigeria from 36 to 37.
Orlu State would be formed from parts of Imo, Abia, and Anambra states, with Orlu as its capital. However, IPOB’s spokesman criticized this move, arguing that it would lead to more division and inefficiency among the Igbo people.
“We don’t want more states in Igboland; creating more states means creating more confusion and hatred among the Ndigbo,” said Emma Powerful. He emphasized that the current states are poorly managed and the creation of new ones would exacerbate governance issues and financial burdens.
“Most of the existing states in the country are not viable, and they want to add more confusion and problems. The creation of more states is not our problem. What we demand is a total referendum to decide whether the Ndigbo wish to remain in Nigeria. We seek total freedom, and that is our unwavering stance.”
