Just In: 31 New state proposals presented by house of reps

The House of Representatives has received proposals for the creation of 31 new states across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

According to reports, the Chairman of the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, read the proposals during plenary in the Green Chamber. He also outlined the conditions that must be met before any state creation requests can be approved.

The proposals include:

• North Central: 5 states (e.g., Okun, Okura, and Confluence from Kogi; Benue Ala and Apa from Benue)
• North East: 4 states (e.g., Amana from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi; Savannah from Borno; Muri from Taraba)
• North West: 5 states (e.g., New Kaduna and Gurara from Kaduna; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi)
• South East: 5 states (e.g., Etiti, Orashi, Adada, Orlu, and Aba)
• South South: 4 states (e.g., Ogoja from Cross River; Warri from Delta; Ori and Obolo from Rivers)
• South West: 7 states (e.g., Torumbe from Ondo; Ibadan from Oyo; Lagoon from Lagos/Ogun; Ijebu from Ogun; Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo/Ogun/Osun)

These proposals are part of the ongoing constitutional review process aimed at restructuring Nigeria’s administrative and political landscape.

Kalu read, “A request to the National Assembly for the purpose of creating a new state shall only be passed if a request supported by at least the third majority of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and the Local Government Council in respect of the area, is received by the National Assembly.

“Local Government Advocates for the creation of additional local government areas are only reminded that Section 8 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, applies to this process.

“Specifically, in accordance with Section 8.3 of the Constitution, the outcome of the votes of the State Houses of Assembly in the referendum must be forwarded to the National Assembly for fulfillment of state demands.

“Proposals shall be resubmitted in strict adherence to the stipulations. Submit three hard copies of the full proposal of the memoranda to the Secretariat of the Committee at Room H331, House of Representatives, White House, National Assembly Complex, and Abuja.

“Sub-copies must also be sent electronically to the Committee’s email address at info.hccr.gov.nj.

“The Committee remains committed to supporting the implementing efforts that align with the Constitutional provisions and would only consider proposals that comply with the stipulated guidelines.”