The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has received proposals for the creation of 31 new states across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu read a letter from the committee during Thursday’s plenary, outlining the constitutional requirements that must be met before any state creation can be approved.
According to the letter, the proposals 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 (proposed sixth state in the zone); Adada (Enugu); Orlu, Aba
South South: Ogoja (Cross River); Warri (Delta); Ori, Obolo (Rivers)
South West: Torunbe (Ondo); Ibadan (Oyo); Lagoon (Lagos); Ijebu, Oke-Ogun/Ijesha (Ogun/Oyo/Osun)
The committee emphasized that state creation must follow Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires support from at least two-thirds of the Senate, House of Representatives, State Houses of Assembly, and local government councils in the affected areas.
It also stated that all proposals must be submitted in compliance with constitutional stipulations, with three hard copies sent to the committee’s secretariat at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, as well as electronic submissions via email.
