NIGERIA: House Of Representatives Moves For Nigeria To Create 31 New States

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Nigeria House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, has proposed the creation of 31 new states across the country.

If approved, this would increase the number of states in Nigeria from 36 to 67.

The proposal which was contained in a letter read during Thursday’s plenary session by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, highlighted the specific requirements for state creation, including approval from the National Assembly, the House of Representatives, and affected state assemblies.

The committee, led by Kalu, proposed the creation of six new states in the North Central, four in the North East, five in the North West, five in the South East, four in the South-South, and seven in the South West.

Part of the letter reads; “The committee proposes the creation of 31 new states. 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.

“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.

“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 fulfilment 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. For further information or contact, please contact the Committee Clerk at 08069-232381.

“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. This is coming from the Clerk of the Committee on Constitutional Review.”

The proposed new states include Okun, Okura and Confluence states from Kogi; Benue Ala and Apa states from Benue; FCT state; Amana state from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi states and Savannah states from Borno and Muri State from Taraba.

Others are New Kaduna and Gujarat from Kaduna State; Tiga and Ari from Kano, and Kainji from Kebbi State; Etiti and Orashi as the 6th state in the South East Adada from Enugu, Orlu and Aba from the South East.

*Breakdown of Proposed States by Region

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, Gujarat (Kaduna); Tiga, Ari (Kano); Kainji (Kebbi)

South East: Etiti, Orashi (unspecified); Adada (Enugu); Orlu, Aba (unspecified)

South-South: Ogoja (Cross River); Warri (Delta); Ori, Obolo (Rivers)

South West: Torumbe (Ondo); Ibadan (Oyo); Lagoon (Lagos); Ijebu (Ogun); Oke Ogun/Ijesha (Oyo/Ogun/Osun)

The committee emphasized that all state creation proposals must comply with constitutional requirements, including a referendum and approval from legislative bodies.