The House of Representatives has clarified that it is not proposing the creation of 31 new states but has instead received 31 separate proposals for state creation. The clarification followed a plenary session where the Deputy Speaker, who chairs the Constitution Review Committee, addressed the matter and explained the constitutional requirements these proposals must meet.
Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr., the House Spokesman, issued a statement on Thursday emphasizing that the proposals were submitted as private member bills and do not represent the official stance of the House. He noted that these bills will undergo thorough scrutiny and must meet strict constitutional provisions before advancing.
Constitutional Requirements for State Creation Proposals
The Deputy Speaker outlined the constitutional requirements for any proposal to proceed, according to Section 8(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended). These requirements include securing support from at least a two-thirds majority of members in both the Senate and House of Representatives representing the area requesting the new state. Additionally, approval must be obtained from the State House of Assembly and the Local Government Council in the affected area.
The Deputy Speaker further clarified that proposals for new Local Government Councils must also adhere to the constitutional stipulations under Section 8(3). Any referendum conducted by State Houses of Assembly must have its results forwarded to the National Assembly before further consideration.
Submission Guidelines and Process
Rep. Rotimi reiterated that all proposals and memoranda must be submitted in hard copies to the Secretariat of the Constitution Review Committee at the National Assembly Complex by March 5, 2025. This ensures that all submissions follow the formal guidelines and procedures laid out for the review process.
Clarification on Misleading Report
This clarification follows a widely circulated report that falsely claimed the House had formally endorsed the creation of 31 new states. The report suggested that the Constitution Review Committee had already approved the states across various geopolitical zones as official proposals, which is untrue.
The House emphasized that these proposals are merely requests from different groups and will undergo thorough legislative scrutiny. The Deputy Speaker clarified that his reading of the proposals during the plenary session was simply a communication from the Clerk of the Constitution Review Committee, not an endorsement of any of the proposals.
Commitment to Transparent Constitutional Review Process
The House of Representatives reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent, inclusive constitutional review process that adheres to due process and reflects the wishes of the Nigerian people. The legislative body underscored that the creation of new states or local governments remains a lengthy and detailed process that requires broad consensus and multiple stages of approval.
