IKWUANO – A move to split the vast Ikwuano Local Government Area in Abia State into two new entities is underway, following legislative action at the national level.
Hon. Obi Aguocha, the House of Representatives member for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, has sponsored a bill for the creation of new local government areas: Ikwuano South and Ikwuano North. The bill has successfully passed its first reading in the House.
The initiative aims to address the large geographical and demographic size of the current Ikwuano LGA, which comprises the four major clans of Oloko, Oboro, Ariam, and Ibere. Proponents argue that splitting it will bring government closer to the people and improve resource distribution.
This move fulfills a campaign promise made by both Hon. Aguocha and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.
However, legal experts point out that the creation of a new local government area in Nigeria requires a specific constitutional process. According to Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, the process must be initiated at the state level through the Abia State House of Assembly, involving a referendum and a bill, before the National Assembly can grant final recognition.
Legal practitioner M.O. Ubani SAN has advised that for the bill to succeed, close collaboration between Hon. Aguocha and Governor Otti is essential to ensure the process follows the correct constitutional pathway from the state to the federal level.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on a public statement by M.O. Ubani SAN. The views and legal opinions expressed are those of the author. CDA News presents this information for public awareness and does not endorse any political position. The process of creating new local governments is subject to legislative and constitutional procedures.
