On Thursday, the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution disclosed that it has received proposals for the creation of 31 new states from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu presented a letter from the committee during plenary, detailing the requirements for the approval of any new state creation.
The proposals cover various regions, with five suggested states 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 proposed states are Okun, Okura, and Confluence from Kogi; Benue Ala and Apa from Benue; the establishment of the FCT State; Amana from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi; Savannah from Borno; and Muri from Taraba.
Other suggestions include New Kaduna and Gujarat from Kaduna; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi; Etiti and Orashi from the South East; Adada from Enugu; and Orlu and Aba from the South East. Additionally, Ogoja from Cross River, Warri from Delta, Ori and Obolo from Rivers, and several states from the South West like Ondo, Ibadan, Lagos, Ogun, and Osun are also under consideration.
The letter pointed out that Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution provides the legal framework for the creation of new states.
The proposal for a new state will only proceed if it is supported by at least a third of the members of the Senate, House of Representatives, State Houses of Assembly, and the relevant Local Government Council.
Furthermore, the letter emphasized that the results of state referendums, as stipulated in Section 8.3 of the Constitution, must be submitted to the National Assembly for further consideration.
The committee also clarified that all proposals must strictly adhere to constitutional procedures, with three hard copies and an electronic version of the full proposal submitted to the committee’s office for review.
The committee reiterated its commitment to ensuring that any state creation efforts align with constitutional provisions and will only review proposals that meet the required standards.