The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review said on Thursday that it has received a proposal for the creation of 31 additional states to the existing 36 state in Nigeria. The proposed additional states include 6 state in the North Central; 4 in the North East; 5 in the North West; 5 in South East; 4 in the South South and 7 in the South West.
Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Chairman of the committee and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, told members while reading a letter from the committee’, clerk during plenary.
The states proposed state are Okun, Okura and Confluence states from Kogi; Benue Ala and Apa states from Benue; FCT State; Amana State from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi State, Savannah State from Borno and Muri State from Taraba.
Others include New Kaduna and Gujarat States from Kaduna State; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi State; Etiti and Orashi as the 6th state in the South East; Adada from Enugu as well as Orlu and Aba from the South East.
Carved out of the South-South are Ogoja state from Cross River state; Warri state from Delta state, Ori and Obolo states from Rivers state; Torumbe state from Ondo state; Ibadan state from Oyo state; Lagoon state from Lagos and Ogun states; Ijebu state from Ogun state; Oke Ogun/Ijesha state from Oyo/Ogun/Osun states.
The committee has however indicated that the criteria necessary to initiate state creation process must include: An act of the National Assembly to create a new state, (and) may require the support of at least a third majority of members.
It must be collectively accepted by all political groups and associations. The House of Representatives, the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and the Local Government Council in respect of the area, and the National Assembly.
Referendum and outcome of the votes of the State Houses of Assembly must reach the National Assembly for fulfillment of state demands, as well as other statutory requirements.
About Author
