The House of Representatives, through its Committee on the Review of the Constitution, has extended the deadline for the submission of proposals for the creation of new states and local governments from March 5 to March 26, 2025.
The decision was made in response to public demand, allowing more time for interested parties to refine and resubmit their proposals in line with constitutional requirements. It was announced on Monday by Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr., the House Spokesman.
Recall that on February 6, 2025, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu presented a letter from the committee listing proposals for 31 new states. These proposals aim to improve representation, enhance economic viability, and ensure regional balance.
According to Rotimi, the extension is necessary to give those whose previous submissions did not meet the legal requirements another opportunity to correct and perfect their documents. All proposals, he said must adhere strictly to Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended).
The process of creating a new state requires significant support from the affected communities and their representatives. Section 8(1) of the Constitution states that a request for a new state must have the backing of at least two-thirds of the elected lawmakers representing the area. Similarly, for local government creation, Section 8(3) mandates that the proposal must go through a state referendum and be approved by the State House of Assembly before being forwarded to the National Assembly.
The committee said proposals must be submitted in both hard and soft copies. Hard copies, in three copies, should be delivered to the Committee Secretariat at Room H331, House of Representatives White House, National Assembly Complex, Abuja. Soft copies should be sent via email to info@hccr.gov.ng. For further inquiries, the public can contact the Committee Clerk at 08069232381.
Speaking on the extension, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu reaffirmed the commitment of the House to a fair, transparent, and constitutionally guided process.
His words, “This decision is a direct response to the appeals from Nigerians who wish to have their submissions reconsidered. Our goal remains to facilitate a thorough and constitutionally compliant process that addresses legitimate aspirations for state and local government creation. The Committee will fairly evaluate all submissions that meet the established constitutional requirements.”
