By Chinazaekpere Chinwendu
The Mayor of Ikwuano Local Government council, Dr Anthony Nzeribe Nwaubani, FCA, FCIB, has presented the response of the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Obi Aguocha, clarifying that Ikwuano North and Ikwuano South are among the proposed Local Government Areas listed for creation in Abia State.
The clarification comes amid reports circulating on social media suggesting that only Abiriba and Bende North were presented for creation as new Local Government Areas in Abia State. The response, supported by documentary evidence from the relevant legislative records, indicates that the proposed creation of Ikwuano North and Ikwuano South is also captured in the ongoing process.
According to Aguocha, the bill he sponsored, titled A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Create Ikwuano North and Ikwuano South Local Governments from Ikwuano Local Government in Abia State, has passed its second reading and is making steady progress through the legislative process.
In his response to the report, Aguocha explained that the bill is currently at the committee stage and will soon be presented before the Committee of the Whole for consideration and approval. His statement shows that the legislative process is ongoing and that the proposed Local Government Areas have not been excluded from the list of areas being considered for creation.
Documentary evidence from the House of Representatives Order Paper dated Wednesday, December 10, 2025, identifies the bill as House Bill 2592, sponsored by Aguocha, and lists it under the bills scheduled for second reading. The document specifically states the proposal to create Ikwuano North and Ikwuano South Local Governments from the existing Ikwuano Local Government Area in Abia State.
Further evidence is contained in a document listing proposed Local Government Areas across Nigeria. Under the South-East geopolitical zone, the entry for Abia State identifies Ikwuano LGA as the existing council and Ikwuano North and Ikwuano South as the proposed Local Government Areas. This provides documentary backing for Aguocha’s clarification that Ikwuano is included in the proposal.
The development is significant for the people of Ikwuano, as the proposed creation of Ikwuano South and North Local Government Areas respectively is expected to bring governance closer to the grassroots, improve administrative accessibility and create opportunities for more responsive service delivery.
Dr Nwaubani used the opportunity to disclose that he has no doubt about the legislative efforts of Rt Hon Aguocha for the creation of Ikwuano South as he Dr Nwaubani has been actively involved making personal significant financial contributions and efforts particularly in the documentations which he signed as the Mayor of the existing Ikwuano LGA. He acknowledged the ownership approach of Chief/ Prince Kingsley Nkume in the struggle not forgetting to mention the support of Senator Austine Akobundu and Bar Monday Ubani SAN.
Mayor Nwaubani’s presentation of Aguocha’s response is therefore an important clarification in the face of the social media reports. It reinforces the need for the public to consult verifiable legislative records when assessing developments surrounding the proposed creation of new Local Government Areas in Abia State.
While the bill has recorded progress with its passage through second reading, its eventual adoption remains subject to the required legislative and constitutional procedures. For now, the available documents establish that Ikwuano North and Ikwuano South are among the proposed Local Government Areas listed for consideration, contrary to claims that only Abiriba and Bende North were presented for Abia State.