Reps propose creation of 31 news states
The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review is proposing the creation of 31 new states across the country.
The proposal for new states was contained in a letter read by Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker who presided over plenary session on Thursday.
The committee chaired by Kalu proposed six new states for North Central, four in the North East, five in the North West, five in South East, four in South-South and seven in South West.
The proposed new states 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 are New Kaduna and Gurara from Kaduna State; Tiga and Ari from Kano, and Kainji from Kebbi State; Etiti and Orashi, Adada from Enugu, Orlu and Aba from the South East. Ogoja from Cross River State, Warri from Delta, Ori and Obolo from Rivers; Torumbe from Ondo; Ibadan from Oyo, Lagoon from Lagos, Ogun, Ijebu from Ogun state as well as Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo/Ogun/Osun States.
Section 8(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended outlines specific requirements that must be fulfilled to initiate the process of state creation which include:
An act of the National Assembly for purpose of creating a new state shall only be passed if a request supported by at least two third majority of members representing the area demanding the new state namely; the Senate and House of Representatives, the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and the Local Government Council in respect of the area are received by the National Assembly.
Specifically, in accordance with Section 8 (3) of the Constitution, the outcome of the votes of the State Houses of Assembly in the referendum must be forwarded to the National Assembly for fulfilment of state demands.
Kalu directed that proposals shall be resubmitted in strict adherence to the stipulations. “Submit three hard copies of the full proposal of the memoranda to the Secretariat of the Committee at Room H331, House of Representatives, White House, National Assembly Complex, and Abuja”, he said.
He assured that the Committee will align with constitutional provisions and will only consider proposals that comply with stipulated guidelines.
