A bill seeking to alter the 1999 Constitution to create a new state, Ogoja, from Cross River, passed its second reading in the House of Representatives on Thursday.
The proposed state would be situated in Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone.
Sponsored by Hon. Godwin Offiono and three other lawmakers, the bill is aimed at establishing Ogoja State as a distinct entity from Cross River State.
According to the sponsors, the new state would help address regional imbalances and promote development within the South-South region.
The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, put the bill to a voice vote during the session, and the majority of the members voted in favor of the proposal.
Following its successful passage through the second reading, the presiding officer referred the bill to the committee on constitutional review for further consideration.
