Abuja, NIGERIA — The Nigerian House of Representatives has issued a firm clarification regarding recent misleading reports that the body is planning to create 31 new states, refuting claims that the House has endorsed or is actively working on such a proposal.
In a statement released on Thursday, the House Spokesman emphasized that the reports circulating in the media were erroneous, and the notion of adding 31 new states was not aligned with the House’s official position. The statement followed comments made by the Deputy Speaker during the plenary session, who also serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review (HCCR). He revealed that the House had only received 31 separate proposals from various individuals and groups seeking the creation of new states. However, he stressed that these submissions in no way indicate that the House has taken a formal stance on the matter.
The Deputy Speaker explained that the proposals, while duly received, are still in the preliminary stages and must undergo a stringent constitutional process before any further action can be taken. He specifically referenced Section 8(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the legal requirements for the creation of new states. Under this provision, for any such proposal to move forward, it must garner the support of at least two-thirds of lawmakers representing the concerned areas in the Senate, House of Representatives, State Houses of Assembly, and Local Government Councils.
Moreover, the Deputy Speaker clarified the procedure for the creation of new Local Government Councils, citing Section 8(3) of the Constitution. He outlined that before any new council can be established, a referendum must be conducted by the concerned State Houses of Assembly, with the results then submitted to the National Assembly for further consideration.
To maintain transparency and uphold legislative integrity, the House has directed that all proposals for the creation of new states or councils be formally submitted in hard copies to the Secretariat of the Constitution Review Committee at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja by March 5, 2025. This marks a clear deadline for interested parties to formally present their cases.
The House reiterated its commitment to a fair and transparent process, assuring Nigerians that any constitutional amendments, including state creation, will be subject to a rigorous review process. This will include public hearings, consultations with relevant stakeholders, and multiple stages of legislative scrutiny, ensuring that the decision-making process remains open and accountable.
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