The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has announced that it has received proposals for the creation of 31 new states across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu read a letter from the committee during plenary on Thursday, outlining the requirements that must be met before any request for state creation can be approved.
According to the letter, the proposals include:
North Central: Okun, Okura, and Confluence (Kogi); Benue Ala and Apa (Benue); FCT State
North East: Amana (Adamawa), Katagum (Bauchi), Savannah (Borno), and Muri (Taraba)
North West: New Kaduna and Gurara (Kaduna), Tiga and Ari (Kano), and Kainji (Kebbi)
South East: Etiti, Orashi, Adada (Enugu), Orlu, and Aba
South-South: Ogoja (Cross River), Warri (Delta), Ori and Obolo (Rivers)
South West: Torumbe (Ondo), Ibadan (Oyo), Lagoon (Lagos), Ogun and Ijebu (Ogun), Oke Ogun/Ijesha (Oyo/Ogun/Osun)
The committee emphasized that Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) outlines strict requirements for state creation. These include approval from at least two-thirds of members of the Senate, House of Representatives, State House of Assembly, and Local Government Councils within the proposed state.
Furthermore, the letter reminded advocates for the creation of additional local government areas that similar constitutional provisions apply to that process. It stressed that the outcome of votes from State Houses of Assembly in a referendum must be forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration.
The committee urged proponents to resubmit their proposals in strict compliance with constitutional stipulations. Hard copies of the memoranda must be submitted to Room H331, House of Representatives, White House, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, while electronic copies should be sent to the committee’s official email.
The House Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that align with constitutional provisions, emphasizing that only proposals meeting the required guidelines would be considered.
