The House of Representatives committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution announced on Thursday that it had received 31 proposals for the creation of new states in the six geopolitical zones.
Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, said the proposals include five proposals from the North-Central, four from the North-East, five from the North-West, five from the South-East, four from the South-South and seven from the South-West.
Among the states considered include Okun, Okura and the union (Kogi); Benue State and Apa (Benue); Central West Territory State; Amana (Adamawa); Katagum (Bauchi); Savannah (Bornu); and Wall (Taraba). The states also include New York State. Kaduna and Gujarat States from Kaduna State; Tiga and Ari from Kano, and Kainji from Kebbi State; Etiti and A city as the 6th state from the South-East, Adada from Enugu, Orlu and Aba from the South-East.
This also includes Ogoja da Cross River, Warri da Delta, Ori è Obolo became a river; Ondo Torumbe, Ibadan da Oyo, a laguna between Lagos and Ogun, Ijebu becomes Ogun, Oke Ogun/Ijesha become State from Oyo/Ogun/Osun
According to the letter, section 8 of the 1999 amended constitution as amended specific requirements that must be met to begin the process of creating a state.
The letter said “a request to the National Assembly for the purpose of creating a new state shall only be passed if a request supported by at least the third majority of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and the Local Government Council in respect of the area, is 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 fulfillment 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.
“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.”
