From Abba Dukawa
The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution announced on Thursday that it has received 31 proposals for the creation of new states across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
During plenary, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu read a letter from the committee, outlining the conditions that must be met before any state creation request can be approved.
According to the letter, the proposals include:
- North Central: Five submissions
- North East: Four submissions
- North West: Five submissions
- South East: Five submissions
- South-South: Four submissions
- South West: Seven submissions
Some of the proposed states include Okun, Okura, and Confluence (from Kogi); Benue Ala and Apa (from Benue); FCT State; Amana (from Adamawa); Katagum (from Bauchi); Savannah (from Borno); and Muri (from Taraba).
Other proposals include New Kaduna and Gurara (from Kaduna); Tiga and Ari (from Kano); Kainji (from Kebbi); Etiti and Orashi as the sixth state in the South East; Adada (from Enugu); Orlu and Aba (from the South East).
Additionally, the proposed states include Ogoja (from Cross River); Warri (from Delta); Ori and Obolo (from Rivers); Torumbe (from Ondo); Ibadan (from Oyo); Lagoon (from Lagos); Ijebu and Ogun (from Ogun); and Oke Ogun/Ijesha (from Oyo, Ogun, and Osun states).
The letter emphasized that Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) outlines specific requirements for initiating the process of state creation. It stated that a request for a new state will only be approved if it is supported by at least a two-thirds majority of:
1. Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives
2. The House of Assembly in the affected area
3. The Local Government Councils in the affected area
The committee also addressed advocates for the creation of additional local government areas, reminding them that Section 8 of the Constitution applies to this process as well.
“Specifically, in accordance with Section 8(3) of the Constitution, the outcome of the referendum conducted by the State Houses of Assembly must be forwarded to the National Assembly for final approval,” the letter stated.
The committee directed that proposals must be resubmitted in strict adherence to constitutional requirements.
It instructed applicants to submit three hard copies of their full proposal or memorandum to the Secretariat of the Committee in Room H331, House of Representatives, White House, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Additionally, soft copies must be sent electronically to the committee’s email address at info.hccr.gov.ng.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all proposals align with constitutional provisions, stating that only submissions that meet the stipulated guidelines will be considered.