The Joint National Assembly Committee on Constitution Review has approved the creation of a new state in the South-East geo-political zone.

The committee, in a statement issued on Sunday, also announced the setting up of a sub-committee to further consider creation of states and local government areas across other zones of the country.

According to the statement, the unanimous resolution was reached after the committee reviewed 55 proposals for state creation across the country.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, who had consistently championed the initiative, said that the request was anchored on principles of equity, justice and fairness, as the zone has only five states.

In his remarks, Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin, urged members to rally support among colleagues at the national and state assemblies to ensure that the resolutions sailed through during voting.

“We need to strengthen what we have started so that all parts of the country will key into this process.

“By the time we get to the actual voting, we should already have the buy-in of all stakeholders from both chambers and the state houses of assembly,” he said.