The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has received proposals for the creation of 31 new states across the country.
This was disclosed by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu after reading a letter from the committee during plenary on Thursday.
He outlined the constitutional conditions that must be met before any state creation request can be approved.
According to the letter, the proposals span all six geopolitical zones five from the North Central, four from the Northeast, five from the Northwest, five from the Southeast, four from the South-South, and seven from the Southwest.
Among the proposed states are Okun, Okura, and Confluence (Kogi); Benue Ala and Apa (Benue); FCT State; Amana (Adamawa); Katagum (Bauchi); Savannah (Borno); and Muri (Taraba).
The Southeast list includes Etiti, Orashi, and Adada (Enugu), Orlu, and Aba, while the Southsouth includes Ogoja (Cross River), Warri (Delta), and Ori and Obolo (Rivers).
The Southwest’s proposals include Ibadan, Lagoon (Lagos), and Ijebu (Ogun).
The letter referenced Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that any request must be backed by a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly, state assemblies, and local government councils in the affected areas.
“A request to the National Assembly for the purpose of creating a new state shall only be passed if supported by at least a two-thirds majority,” the letter stated.
It also reminded advocates of new local government areas that the same constitutional process applies.
“Proposals shall be resubmitted in strict adherence to the stipulations,” it added, directing applicants to submit three hard copies and electronic versions to the committee’s secretariat.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to upholding constitutional provisions, stating it would only consider proposals that meet the necessary requirements.
“The committee remains committed to supporting the implementation efforts that align with constitutional provisions and would only consider proposals that comply with the stipulated guidelines.”
