- House of Reps Clarifies State Creation Proposals
- Says Nigerians Should Speak Up if They Want More States
- Says Proposal was only Read Out on The Floor of The House
The Nigerian House of Representatives has explained that none of the 30 proposals for new states met the requirements of the Constitution. It also denied reports that it is planning to create 31 new states, saying that such claims misrepresent the legislative process.
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The House stated that it is up to the Nigerian people to properly follow the process if they want new states.
Speaking in an interview in Abuja, Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, said the 30 proposals were only read out during Thursday’s plenary to inform Nigerians about the requests received so far.
According to him, the proposals include new states like 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.
Others include New Kaduna and Gurara from Kaduna; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi; Etiti and Orashi in the Southeast; Adada from Enugu; Orlu and Aba from the Southeast; Ogoja from Cross River; Warri from Delta; Ori and Obolo from Rivers; Torumbe from Ondo; Ibadan from Oyo; Lagoon from Lagos; Ijebu from Ogun; and Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo, Ogun, and Osun states.
Kalu emphasized that the proposals are 30, not 31, as wrongly reported. He added that none of them have met the constitutional requirements.
He advised those proposing new states to follow the process outlined in Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The House has given them until March 5 to correct the issues in their applications.
To create a new state, the Constitution requires approval by a two-thirds majority in the Senate, House of Representatives, State Houses of Assembly, and local governments.
Kalu assured Nigerians that the House will follow due process. He invited those seeking new states to resubmit their applications once they meet the legal requirements.
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“We are here to represent the people. We are not making any decisions yet. In the past, people did not understand why their requests were rejected. This time, we want them to know the reason. None of the 30 proposals meet the requirements, so we are informing Nigerians now. You have until March 5 to correct the errors in your application,” he said.
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