By Joke Kujenya
MEDIA REPORTS suggesting that the House of Representatives is pushing for the creation of 31 new states are misleading, according to a statement from the legislative body.
The House clarified that while 31 proposals for new states had been submitted, they remain private member bills and do not reflect an official stance.
During plenary on Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who also chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, outlined the constitutional process required for state creation.
He emphasised that these proposals must meet strict legal criteria before advancing.
The National Assembly can only approve new states if a two-thirds majority of lawmakers from the affected areas, including the Senate, House of Representatives, state assemblies, and local government councils, support the move.
Kalu further highlighted that proposals for new Local Government Councils must undergo rigorous legislative scrutiny.
In line with Section 8(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), state assemblies must vote on the matter in a referendum, with the results submitted to the National Assembly.
He said Lawmakers were directed to resubmit proposals in compliance with the stipulated guidelines.
These submissions must include three hard copies of memoranda, delivered to the Committee Secretariat at Room H331, House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, no later than Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
To ensure transparency, the House affirmed that all constitutional amendments would undergo multiple layers of scrutiny, including public hearings and stakeholder engagements.
The statement, signed by Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., House Spokesman, reiterated that the Deputy Speaker merely conveyed a communication from the Clerk of the Constitution Review Committee.
However, the House assured Nigerians that the constitutional review process remains open, inclusive, and reflective of the people’s aspirations.
