The House of Representatives has clarified recent reports suggesting it is planning to create 31 new states.
The lawmakers explained that the reports are misleading and do not reflect the official stance of the House.
A statement issued by the House of Representatives via its Spokesman on Thursday stated that during Thursday’s plenary session, the Deputy Speaker, who also serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review (HCCR), stated that the House had only received 31 proposals from private individuals and groups seeking the creation of new states.
He emphasized that these proposals do not mean the House has endorsed or is actively working on creating new states.
The Deputy Speaker further explained that for any proposal to progress, it must meet strict constitutional requirements. He listed the necessary steps outlined in Section 8(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). According to this section, a proposal for state creation must be supported by at least two-thirds of lawmakers representing the concerned areas in the Senate, House of Representatives, State House of Assembly, and Local Government Councils before it can be considered by the National Assembly.
He also clarified the process for creating new Local Government Councils, referring to Section 8(3) of the Constitution. He stated that before any new council can be recognized, the results of a referendum conducted by State Houses of Assembly must be submitted to the National Assembly for further consideration.
To ensure proper legislative procedure, the House directed all individuals or groups interested in state creation to formally submit their proposals. The submission deadline was set for March 5, 2025, and proposals must be submitted in hard copies to the Secretariat of the Constitution Review Committee at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
The House reassured Nigerians that any constitutional amendments, including state creation, will go through a transparent and thorough review process. This will involve public hearings, consultations with stakeholders, and multiple stages of legislative approval.