Deputy — THE agitation for the establishment of regional governments at the National Political Reforms Conference (NPRC), appears to have given way to agitation for creation of new states.

At the beginning of the conference in February 2005, supporters of regionalism were many but recent checks show that the earlier impressive number has dwindled. More delegates from across the six geopolitical zones appear to be interested in the creation of new states than the establishment of regional governments.

As part of the proposals for political reforms, delegates had initially argued that power should devolve to the regions as a way of ensuring equity and reducing the intimidating powers of the Federal Government.

They had also argued that regionalism would speedy up educational, social, economic and political development in the country.

Particularly, delegates from the South East zone had argued that Ndigbo were better off under the earlier regional arrangement.

However, as the committee work of the conference is drawing to a close, majority of the delegates, given rising opposition from others, have switched camp.

By way of political compromise, they have agreed that power should be devolved to the states rather than regions.

The opponents of regionalism at the conference had argued that the states will still be sidelined under a regional arrangement and so insisted that for a truly federal system to exist, power should devolve to the states.

Thus, the agitation for the creation of new states had heightened at the conference.

It was learnt that the conference has at least received requests for the creation of eight additional states in the country.

For the South East zone which has the lowest number of states currently, the delegates are asking for equity.

According to Dr. Douglas Acholonu (Imo), who is pushing for the creation of Orlu State out of Imo, the goal is simply to ensure equity.

He argued that if regionalism is dropped then, all the geo-political zones should have the same number of states, "to ensure fairness."

Insisting that the goal of the conference is to address the imbalances in the political system in the country, Acholonu insisted that "it is only fair" for another state to be created out of Imo State."

Agreeing with Acholonu on the creation of a new state from Imo, the head of the think-tank teem for Imo state, and former Minister of Establishment and Management Services, Chief Innocent Dibia Nwoga, said the zone deserved a new state.

Nwoga stated the position of the zone thus, "we are saying that to be fair to everybody, each geo-political zone should have the same number of states. I mean, North West already has seven states which is maximum, so, let all the geo-political zones have seven states as well. This means that South East which has five now should have two more states."

Nwoga further argued that the proposed two new states for the South East zone should be created out of Anambra and Imo states, given their large sizes.

Again, Nwoga speaks, "now, if the South East is going to have two more states, it is only logical that Imo which is about the largest along with Anambra should have states created out of them."

He noted that since fresh opinions favour states as the federating units, the South East zone should have more states to ensure that its sidelining in the political affairs of the nation, is ended.

Delegates from the South East zone are not the only ones agitating for more states, their counterparts from the South South zone, which has six states are also in the race.

It was gathered that a proposal for a strictly Ijaw state is in the offing. The move, it was learnt, is being made by Prof Kimsi Okoko (Rivers), who is also an Ijaw man.

The proposed state which Okoko wants created out of the existing Rivers State is known as "Oil River State".

According to our source, Okoko's move is meant at checking what is seen as the continued sidelining of Ijaw people in Rivers States.

Memoranda for the creation of Katagun, Appa and Southern Kaduna states are also said to have been tabled before the Justice Nikki Tobi led conference.

The proposal for the creation of Southern Kaduna State it was learnt, is being pushed by the Christian community in Kaduna State as way of insulating themselves from the incessant religious crises in the state.

Appa State, if accepted, will be made up of southern Nsukka and some parts of Benue State.

Indeed, the agitation is on and its realisation will be dependent on the ability of the proponents to reach out to others, for an eventual consensus on the floor of the conference.