Prince (Barr) Orji Nwafor-Orizu supports creation of Etiti State from south east region
By Eche Nwaobasi-Nnewi.
Prince Barr Orji Nwofor-Orizu one of the sons of chief Nwafor Orizu the first president of Nigeria senate and a senior lawyer has thrown his support for the creation of Etiti State from the Southeast region.
It will be recalled that just few days ago that NASS Joint Committee on Constitution review has approved the creation of a new state in the region. The Southeast currently has 5 states.
The approval for a new state in the Southeast is expected to generate political squabble among governors and influential political figures seeking to have the new state located within their own state or area.
For example, there is a bill proposing the creation of Anioma State, currently part of Delta State. There have been agitations that Anioma should be recognised as the sixth state in the Southeast geopolitical zone, given that it is a predominantly Igbo-speaking area, rather than approving any of the other ongoing state creation proposals in the region. There is also this agitation for creation of Orlu State from the present Imo state. There is also another agitation for creation of state to be known as Etiti State within the Southeast region.
Barr. Orji Nwofor-Orizu, a former President, National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS), now NANS; Convener of Former Students Union Leaders Forum of Nigeria; Chairman, Society for Advancement of Democracy in Nigeria (SAD), and a prince of the Orizu dynasty in Nnewi ancient kingdom while aplauding this latest move by the national assembly in an interview on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at his Otolo Nnewi country home opined that having a new state by carving some local government areas from each of five states of the Southeast will be the best bet for the region, rather than carving a new state from just one existing state in the region. He advised stakeholders and politicians advocating for Anioma and Orlu States to withdraw the proposals from the National Assembly, and concentrate on the request for creation of Etiti State.
He said, “Unagurably, the old Orlu region is very large, comprising of 12 local government areas. It is enough to make a state; after all, Bayelsa has only 8 local government areas. But the expanse boundary is the only reason for the demands for creation of Orlu State; but the shortcoming is that it is carved out of Imo state only.
“Anioma, on the other hand, is carved out of only Delta State, which is even across the Niger. So, it cannot serve as a Southeast state. On other hand, Etiti State is a well thought out idea. I’m one of the earliest proponents of Etiti State. I’m the first person to write about it on the newspaper.
“The Etiti State we’re talking about comprise of the most undeveloped regions of Igboland. They include Orumba North and Orumba South in Anambra State, Okigwe area of Imo State, Isikwato area of Abia State, Isiagu area of Ebonyi State, as well as lokpa Nta/lokpa Ukwu areas of Enugu State; with capital at Okigwe.
“All Igbo states are represented in the proposed Etiti State. The proposed state represents a proper developmental status for Igboland. Therefore, every Southeast stakeholder and politician should support it.”
Prince Bar Orji Nwafor Orizu
