Reps Panel Throws Out 31 State Creation Requests, Sets March 5 for Fresh Bids

All 31 state creation proposals were rejected by the House of Representatives constitutional amendment committee, which cited noncompliance with the Constitution.

On February 6, 2025, plans for the establishment of 31 additional states were presented to the parliament.

Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the house and chairman of the committee, stated during a retreat for panel members in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, on Friday that although the proposals represented the goals of different regions, none of them complied with Section 8 of the 1999 constitution, which specifies the requirements for the establishment of states.

The aforementioned section stipulates the constitutional requirements for state creation.

‘NO REQUIREMENT MET CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS’

Speaking at the retreat, Kalu deputy speaker said the proposals should be re-submitted in “strict adherence” to the constitution no later than March 5.

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“Although we have received 31 requests for state creation, none of these requests met the constitutional requirements for amendment. Therefore, we have since extended the submission date to the 5th of March, 2025,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu

He added that the committee might consider further extending the deadline, depending on discussions at the retreat.

“So, at the end of this retreat, it will be one of the things we will look into, whether or not we will extend the time,” he said.

“But let it be a notice that none of the applications followed the conditions laid out by section 8 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

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The deputy speaker said the committee is currently reviewing 151 constitutional amendment bills.

He noted that the committee is currently reviewing 151 constitutional amendment bills covering issues such as federal structure, power devolution, local government autonomy, revenue allocation, judicial and electoral reforms, security, gender rights, and human rights.

“A proactive, cooperative approach will ensure seamless legislative processes and comprehensive legal reforms,” Kalu said.

Kalu added that the committee has scheduled zonal and national public hearings across the six geopolitical zones on the constitutional amendment bills.