Former AG renews call for creation of Aba State
A former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Abia State, Chief Umeh Kalu (SAN), has reiterated his long-standing call for the creation of Aba State, insisting that the commercial hub has all the historical, economic and demographic credentials required to become the sixth state in the South-East geopolitical zone.
Speaking during a public policy forum in Umuahia, Kalu argued that the continued exclusion of Aba from the list of proposed new states amounts to a major oversight by federal authorities and political leaders. According to him, Aba has contributed significantly to national development, commerce and innovation, and deserves full state recognition to unlock its true potential.
‘Aba is the industrial heart of the East’
Kalu stressed that the case for Aba goes beyond political balancing—it is rooted in the city’s economic importance.
“Aba is the industrial and entrepreneurial heartbeat of the entire Eastern region,” he said. “From manufacturing to export-grade craftsmanship, the city has demonstrated capacity that rivals most existing state capitals. It is only logical that a place with such huge economic weight should be granted statehood.”
He noted that Aba’s reputation as the centre of indigenous manufacturing—ranging from leatherwork to garments and metal fabrication—has helped preserve Nigeria’s non-oil economy and created millions of jobs over the decades.
According to him, the creative energy and resilience of Aba artisans have positioned the city as “one of West Africa’s largest informal industrial clusters”, a status that should be supported with full administrative autonomy.
Calls for equitable representation in the South-East
The former Attorney General argued that creating Aba State would also address the persistent complaints of marginalisation within the South-East region.
He reminded stakeholders that the North-West currently has seven states, while the South-East has only five, making it the region with the least number of states and federal constituencies in the federation.
“The imbalance affects political representation, federal allocation and infrastructure planning,” he said. “Adding Aba State is not just fair—it is necessary for equity.”
Kalu maintained that Aba’s population size, cultural cohesion and established administrative structures make it better positioned than many other proposed state capitals across the country.
‘Aba has the infrastructure and population to stand alone’
He further explained that the city already has substantial infrastructure—such as road networks, markets, industrial zones and educational facilities—needed to function effectively as a full state.
“The argument that Aba is not ready for statehood is simply outdated,” he said. “Aba is bigger than many existing state capitals in Nigeria in terms of population density, commercial activity and urban expansion.”
He pointed to the Enyimba Economic City project, ongoing private-sector investments and federal government interventions as evidence that Aba is rapidly evolving into a metropolitan centre capable of independent administration.
A call for national recognition
Kalu encouraged elected representatives from the region to push the Aba State proposal during the ongoing discussions on constitutional amendments and national restructuring.
He insisted that the creation of Aba State would bring government closer to the people, accelerate development across surrounding local government areas, and transform the South-East into a more competitive economic bloc.
“Aba has earned its place through sweat, innovation and sheer determination,” he said. “This is the right time for Nigeria to acknowledge that contribution by granting the city full statehood.”
Stakeholders, groups back renewed momentum
The renewed advocacy has begun generating reactions across the South-East, with several socio-economic groups expressing support for the proposal. Traders’ unions, artisan associations, youth groups and market leaders have echoed similar sentiments, saying that statehood would finally bring the infrastructural renewal and administrative attention Aba has deserved for decades.
Political observers believe the growing national conversation around restructuring and state creation may provide the best opportunity yet for Aba’s case to be considered seriously.
For now, Kalu’s renewed push has reenergized the long-standing agitation and placed the spotlight firmly on the commercial city’s future within Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
