On Thursday, the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution disclosed that it has received 31 proposals for the creation of new states spanning Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, during the plenary session, presented a letter from the committee detailing the prerequisites for approving any state creation requests.
The proposals are distributed as follows: five from the North Central, four from the North East, five from the North West, five from the South East, four from the South South, and seven from the South West. Among the states being considered are Okun, Okura, and Confluence (Kogi); Benue Ala and Apa (Benue); FCT State; Amana (Adamawa); Katagum (Bauchi); Savannah (Borno); and Muri (Taraba).
Additional proposals include New Kaduna and Gurara from Kaduna State; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi; Etiti and Orashi as the 6th state in the South East; Adada from Enugu; Orlu and Aba from the South East; Ogoja from Cross River; Warri from Delta; Ori and Obolo from Rivers; Torumbe from Ondo; Ibadan from Oyo; Lagoon from Lagos; Ijebu from Ogun; and Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo/Ogun/Osun states.
The letter emphasized that Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, outlines specific requirements that must be met to initiate the process of state creation.
It states that a request to the National Assembly for creating a new state shall only be passed if supported by at least a two-thirds majority of members representing the area demanding the creation of the new state in the Senate, the House of Representatives, the House of Assembly, and the Local Government Council.
Furthermore, the letter highlighted that advocates for the creation of additional local government areas must adhere to Section 8 of the Constitution. Specifically, in accordance with Section 8.3, the outcome of the votes of the State Houses of Assembly in the referendum must be forwarded to the National Assembly to fulfill state demands.
Proponents are advised to resubmit their proposals in strict adherence to these stipulations. They are to submit three hard copies of the full proposal to the Secretariat of the Committee at Room H331, House of Representatives, White House, National Assembly Complex, Abuja. Electronic copies should also be sent to the Committee’s email address at info.hccr.gov.ng.
The Committee reiterated its commitment to supporting implementing efforts that align with constitutional provisions and will only consider proposals that comply with the stipulated guidelines.
