In a significant move towards restructuring the country’s administrative framework, the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has proposed the creation of 31 new states across the country.
If approved, this will increase the number of sub-national governments from the current 36 to 67.
The proposal was unveiled at Thursday’s plenary by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session in the absence of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The committee, chaired by Rep. Kalu, outlined the distribution of the proposed states across the six geopolitical zones: six for the North Central, four for the North East, five for the North West, five for the South East, four for the South-South, and seven for the South West.
The proposed states include, Okun, Okura, and Confluence from Kogi State; Benue Ala and Apa from Benue State; FCT State; Amana from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi; Savannah from Borno; and Muri from Taraba.
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Other notable proposals are New Kaduna and Gujarat from Kaduna State; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi; Etiti and Orashi in the South East; Adada from Enugu; Orlu and Aba from the South East; Ogoja from Cross River; Warri from Delta; Ori and Obolo from Rivers; Torumbe from Ondo; Ibadan from Oyo; Lagoon from Lagos; Ijebu from Ogun; and Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo, Ogun, and Osun States.
In a letter read during plenary, the committee emphasized that the creation of new states must adhere to constitutional requirements.
These include securing the support of at least two-thirds of National Assembly members, approval from the relevant state Houses of Assembly, and endorsement by local government councils in the affected areas.
The committee also reminded stakeholders that the process must comply with Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates a referendum and the forwarding of results to the National Assembly.
The committee has called for the submission of detailed proposals, including three hard copies to the secretariat of the committee at Room H331, House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, and electronic copies to the committee’s email address at info.hccr.gov.nj. For further inquiries, stakeholders were directed to contact the committee clerk at 08069-232381.
The proposal has sparked widespread discussion, with proponents arguing that it will bring governance closer to the people and address longstanding demands for state creation.
However, critics have raised concerns about the financial and administrative implications of creating new states, particularly in a challenging economic climate.
As the process moves forward, the committee has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all proposals comply with constitutional provisions and guidelines.
The outcome of this ambitious proposal will depend on the ability of stakeholders to navigate the complex legislative and constitutional requirements involved in state creation.
