Kehinde Fajobi
The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has proposed the creation of 31 new states, which, if approved, would bring the total number of states in Nigeria to 67.
The proposal was presented on Thursday during a plenary session presided over by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, in the absence of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The committee’s proposal recommends six new states in North Central, four in North East, five in North West, five in South East, four in South-South, and seven in South West.
“The committee proposes the creation of 31 new states,” Kalu read from the letter. “As amended, this section outlines specific requirements that must be fulfilled to initiate the process of state creation, which include the following:”
- New state and boundaries
“An act of the National Assembly for the purpose of creating a new state shall only be passed if it requires support by at least the third majority of members.” - Support requirements
“The House of Representatives, the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and the Local Government Council in respect of the area are received by the National Assembly.”
The committee also highlighted that local government advocates for new local government areas must comply with Section 8 of the Nigerian Constitution. Proposals will be resubmitted in strict adherence to these constitutional stipulations.
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The new states proposed are Okun, Okura, and Confluence from Kogi; Benue Ala and Apa from Benue; FCT state; Amana from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi; Savannah from Borno; Muri from Taraba; New Kaduna and Gujarat from Kaduna; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi; Etiti and Orashi.
From the South East; Adada from Enugu; Orlu and Aba from the South East; Ogoja from Cross River; Warri from Delta; Ori and Obolo from Rivers; Torumbe from Ondo; Ibadan from Oyo; Lagoon from Lagos; Ogun, Ijebu from Ogun; and Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo, Ogun, and Osun States.