House Of Reps Committee Receives 31 Proposals For New State Creation
The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has announced the receipt of 31 proposals for the creation of new states across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu read a letter from the committee during plenary on Thursday, outlining the constitutional conditions required for state creation.
According to the committee, the submissions include:
- North Central – 5 proposals
- North East – 4 proposals
- North West – 5 proposals
- South East – 5 proposals
- South South – 4 proposals
- South West – 7 proposals
Some of the states under consideration include:
- North Central: Okun, Okura, Confluence (Kogi); Benue Ala, Apa (Benue); FCT State
- North East: Amana (Adamawa); Katagum (Bauchi); Savannah (Borno); Muri (Taraba)
- North West: New Kaduna, Gurara (Kaduna); Tiga, Ari (Kano); Kainji (Kebbi)
- South East: Etiti, Orashi (as the 6th state in the region); Adada (Enugu); Orlu, Aba
- South South: Ogoja (Cross River); Warri (Delta); Ori, Obolo (Rivers)
- South West: Torumbe (Ondo); Ibadan (Oyo); Lagoon (Lagos); Ogun, Ijebu (Ogun); Oke Ogun/Ijesha (Oyo/Ogun/Osun)
The 1999 Constitution (as amended) stipulates that any request for state creation must:
- Be supported by at least two-thirds of members in the Senate, House of Representatives, State House of Assembly, and Local Government Councils in the affected area.
- Pass through a referendum conducted by the State Houses of Assembly.
- Be forwarded to the National Assembly for final approval.
The committee instructed that proposals must be submitted:
- In three hard copies to Room H331, House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
In soft copy via email to info.hccr.gov.nj. - The review process is expected to determine the feasibility of the proposed states, considering legal and political implications.
