The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review proposed the creation of 31 new states on Thursday. This proposal, if passed, would increase the number of states in Nigeria to 67.
The proposal was detailed in a letter read by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu during the plenary session, in the absence of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. The committee, led by Kalu, suggested the distribution of these states across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones: six in North Central, four in North East, five in North West, five in South East, four in South-South, and seven in South West.
The letter outlined specific constitutional requirements for state creation, emphasizing that any act for creating new states must be supported by at least two-thirds of the National Assembly members. It also highlighted the need for approval from both the House of Representatives, the respective State Houses of Assembly, and Local Government Councils involved.
“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…”
“An act of the National Assembly for the purpose of creating a new state shall only be passed if it requires support by at least the third majority of members.”, the letter reads.
Among the proposed states are New Kaduna and Gujarat from Kaduna State, Tiga and Ari from Kano, and Kainji from Kebbi in the North. In the South, suggestions include Etiti and Orashi as an additional state 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 a combination of Oyo, Ogun, and Osun States.
The process also mandates that proposals for new local government areas adhere to Section 8 of the Nigerian Constitution, with outcomes of State House of Assembly votes being forwarded to the National Assembly.
This bold proposal could significantly alter Nigeria’s political landscape, pending further legislative action and public referendum.