In a bold move that could redefine Nigeria’s political landscape, the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has revealed that it has received 31 proposals for the creation of new states across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
The announcement, made during plenary on Thursday, was read by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who outlined the constitutional requirements that must be met before any state creation request can be approved.
Proposed States by Geopolitical Zone
According to the committee’s report, the proposed new states are distributed as follows:
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 and Orashi (as the 6th state in the South East), Adada (Enugu), Orlu, and Aba.
South South: Ogoja (Cross River), Warri (Delta), Ori and Obolo (Rivers).
South West: Torumbe (Ondo), Ibadan (Oyo), Lagoon (Lagos), Ijebu (Ogun), and Oke Ogun/Ijesha (Oyo/Ogun/Osun).
Constitutional Requirements for State Creation
The committee emphasized that any request for new states must strictly adhere to Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The key conditions include:
1. Legislative Approval: A request for state creation must be supported by at least two-thirds of members of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the respective State Houses of Assembly and Local Government Councils.
2. Referendum: A referendum must be conducted, with a majority vote from residents of the affected areas in favor of the new state.
3. National Assembly Endorsement: The final decision on any approved state creation process rests with the National Assembly.
The committee further instructed that all proposals be resubmitted in strict adherence to constitutional stipulations. Memoranda must be submitted both in hard copy (Room H331, House of Representatives, White House, National Assembly Complex, Abuja) and electronically via the committee’s official email: info.hccr.gov.ng.
The House Committee reaffirmed its commitment to upholding constitutional integrity in the state creation process, assuring that only proposals meeting all legal and procedural requirements would be considered.
With this latest development, the agitation for new states has gained renewed momentum, but whether any of these proposals will pass the rigorous constitutional process remains to be seen.
PIONEER NEWS 