Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, has stated that none of the 31 applications for state creation met the legal requirements.
Speaking on Friday, February 21, during a two-day retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Kalu explained that while the requests reflected the desires of various communities, they did not comply with constitutional provisions.
The retreat, held from February 20 to 23, 2025, was organised by the 10th House of Representatives in partnership with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).
It provided lawmakers with an oportunity to evaluate ongoing constitutional amendment bills and outline the next steps in the review process.
Kalu noted that in response to the submissions, the committee extended the deadline for state creation requests to March 5, 2025, to allow for additional input.
He also mentioned the possibility of further extending the deadline, depending on deliberations at the retreat.
“Although we have received 31 requests for state creation, none of these requests met the constitutional requirements for amendment.
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“Therefore, we have since extended the submission date to the 5th of March, 2025. But this retreat could in our resolution extend it further if we find out that there are still challenges that the people we represent in their efforts to make their voices heard.
“So at the end of this retreat, it will be one of the things we will look into, whether or not we will extend the time.
“But let it be a notice that none of the applications followed the conditions laid out by Section 8 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Kalu said.
He revealed that the committee is currently reviewing 151 proposed constitutional amendments, with some already progressing to the second reading stage, while others remain at the initial phase.
Kalu highlighted a significant issue in the amendment process: the redundancy of several bills, as some addressed similar subjects under different sponsorships.
To enhance efficiency, the committee has grouped the bills into thematic categories, including Federal Structure and Power Devolution, Local Government Autonomy, Public Revenue and Fiscal Federation, Security and Policing, Judicial and Electoral Reforms, Gender and Human Rights, and State Creation.
Acknowledging the connection between electoral laws and constitutional amendments, Kalu said the leadership of the House and Senate Committees on Electoral Matters was invited to the retreat to foster collaboration and ensure a seamless legislative process.
“A proactive, cooperative approach will ensure seamless legislative processes and comprehensive legal reforms,” he said.
As part of its next phase, the committee has scheduled Zonal and National Public Hearings across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
These hearings will serve as a platform for Nigerians to express their views on the constitutional review process.
The hearings are set to take place in Nasarawa and Niger (North Central), Borno and Gombe (North East), Kaduna and Sokoto (North West), Enugu and Imo (South East), Bayelsa and Cross River (South-South), and Lagos and Ondo (South West).
Kalu urged lawmakers to approach the constitutional review process with diligence, ensuring that their decisions align with public interest.
“As legislators, we must ensure the voices of Nigerians are reflected in our constitutional reforms,” he said.
Reaffirming the committee’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity, he expressed confidence that the review process would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and governance structure.
Executive Director of PLAC, Mr Clement Nwankwo, praised the committee’s dedication to constitutional reform and pledged continued support.
“We are quite confident that this committee intends to deliver on the mandate that it has set for itself, and it will be a key and great win to see the amendments to the constitution delivered within the timeframe that this committee has set.
“We’re looking forward to great deliberations. My colleagues who are co-consultants with me on this project have been meeting over the last couple of months to deliberate and come up with suggestions for this committee to look at,” he said.