Reps propose creation of 31 new states

By Msugh.Ityokura

The constitution review committee of the house of representatives has proposed the creation of 31 new states in the country

The deputy speaker, house of representatives, Benjamin Kalu disclosed this during plenary Thursday, in Abuja

He said the committee is proposing an additional six new states in the North Central, four in the North East, five in the North West, five in the South-South, and seven in the South West.

The proposed states are Okun State, Okura State, and Confluence State 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 State and Gujarat State from Kaduna State; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi State; Etiti and Orashi as the 6th state in the Southeast; Adada from Enugu; and Orlu and Aba from the Southeast.

Furthermore, Ogoja is to be created from Cross River, Warri from Delta, Ori and Obolo from Rivers, Torumbe from Ondo, Ibadan from Oyo, Lagoon from Lagos, and Ogun, Ijebu from Ogun, and Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo/Ogun/Osun states.

He said the respective section of parliament to the effect outlines specific requirements that must be fulfilled to initiate the process of state creation and boundaries.

He said 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 House of Representatives, the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and the Local Government Council in respect of the area is received by the National Assembly. Local government advocates for the creation of additional local government areas are only reminded that Section 8 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, applies to this process.

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“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 who presided over plenary said proposals shall be resubmitted in strict adherence to the stipulations.

He stated that “three hard copies of the full proposal of the memoranda should be submitted to the Secretariat of the Committee in Room H331, House of Representatives, White House, National Assembly Complex, Abuja. Sub-copies must also be sent electronically to the Committee’s email address at info.hccr.gov.nj.”

He said the committee remains committed to supporting the implementing efforts that align with the constitutional provisions and would only consider proposals that comply with the stipulated guidelines