The House of Representatives has been presented with requests for the establishment of 31 additional states, spanning the six geo-political zones of the country.
NaijaReporter understands that the Chairman of the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, formally introduced the proposal during a plenary session in the Green Chamber.
Additionally, Deputy Speaker Kalu outlined conditions that must be met before any of the proposed states can be considered for approval. These requirements were detailed in a letter from the committee, also read during the session.
The Committee disclosed that the submissions include five requests from the North Central, four from the North East, five from the North West, five from the South East, four from the South-South, and seven from the South West.
Among the proposed states are Okun, Okura, and Confluence, which would be carved out of Kogi State; Benue Ala and Apa from Benue State; Amana from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi; Savannah from Borno; and Muri from Taraba.
Other suggested states include New Kaduna and Gujarat from Kaduna; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi; Etiti, Orashi, Adada, Orlu, and Aba from the South East.
Further recommendations include Ogoja from Cross River; Warri from Delta; Ori and Obolo from Rivers; Torumbe from Ondo; Ibadan from Oyo; Lagoon from Lagos and Ogun; Ijebu from Ogun; as well as Oke Ogun/Ijesha from the combined areas of Oyo, Ogun, and Osun states.
Kalu emphasized the constitutional requirements for the creation of new states, stating: “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.”