According to the report from the Vanguard, Chief Chuku Wachuku, the pioneer Director General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), has endorsed the creation of Etiti State as the equalisation state for the South East geopolitical zone. He stated that this move aligns with the consensus recommendation of the zone’s delegates at the 2014 National Constitution Conference....READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
The bill for the proposed state, jointly sponsored by Hon. Amobi Ogah, the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency, and several colleagues from other states in the zone, passed its second reading on Thursday.
In an exclusive interview with Vanguard in Umuahia, Chief Wachuku praised Hon. Amobi Ogah and other proponents of the new state. He emphasized that the consensus among delegates at the 2014 Conference was clear: “It was already a consensus among delegates at the Conference that Etiti State was to be considered as the parity state for the South East before any other proposal.”
Reflecting on his role at the conference, Wachuku stated, “I was a senior member of the South East delegates at the 2014 confab. Our leader was Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (retd), and our recommendation on an additional state for the South East was very clear.”
He further elaborated, “Our joint recommendation was Etiti State followed by Aba State in that order. We agreed that Etiti State be created first, and if any other state would be, it should be Aba. All these people agitating for other states are not being fair. We settled for Aba as the next after Etiti because Aba is the only Old Province in Nigeria that has not become a State.”
Chief Wachuku advised those advocating for different proposals other than Etiti State to prioritize regional interests over personal gains. “All those championing for different proposals other than Etiti State as an additional state for the South East should not place their selfish interests above regional interest,” he urged.
The proposed creation of Etiti State is seen as a step toward addressing the geopolitical imbalances and fostering equitable development in the South East region…READ FULL ARTICLE
