SAN asks Reps Committee to include Edu State in proposed additional states in Nigeria   

He argued that the creation of Eduko, otherwise, called Edu State from the present Niger State would give a sense of belonging to the Nupe people in Nigeria.

Ndarani made this statement during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, joining the public discourse on the proposal by the committee.

Naijaonpoint previously reported that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, read the letter from the committee containing the proposal during plenary on Thursday in Abuja.

The proposal seeks to address demands for greater representation, economic viability, and regional balance in governance.

The letter read in part:

 “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.” 

The proposed states include:   

The proposal is expected to undergo a constitutional process before implementation.

According to the letter read by Kalu, the specific requirements for state creation include:

Reacting to the development,  Ndarani stated that Niger State’s geographical mass is unquestionably larger than that of the entire South East and comparable to that of the South West.

He emphasized its vast land area and abundance of solid minerals.

“The proposed Edu State is a prospective oil-producing state and would be a viable and developed state with Bida as its capital,” he said.

“The original request for Edu State was presented to the National Assembly in September 2022 by a delegation of Nupe elders, leaders, and representatives from Bida, Agaie, and Lapai emirates.   

 “The request clearly aligns with the provisions of Section 8, Subsections 1, 2, and 3 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), making it one of the most viable proposals,” he explained.

He argued that state creation has historically brought development closer to the people.

He argued that state creation has historically brought development closer to the people.

The senior lawyer’s advocacy comes just days after Mike Ozekhome, SAN, described the proposal for additional states as a “wasteful venture.” 

He maintained that the proposal is unnecessary amid more pressing national issues.

Ozekhome suggested that Nigeria needs only two key measures to address the structural imbalances in its federal system and drive development:

Naijaonpoint reports that the creation of new states in Nigeria has long been a contentious issue.

Proponents argue that it will enhance governance, accelerate development, and bring government closer to the people. However, critics warn that additional states could increase administrative costs and strain federal resources.

He stated that the committee will align with constitutional provisions and will only consider proposals that comply with stipulated guidelines.