The House of Representatives has dismissed media reports suggesting that it is proposing the creation of 31 new states.
In a statement issued on February 6, 2025, House Spokesman Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr. explained that the House Committee on Constitution Review (HCCR) had only received 31 proposals for new states as private member bills.
He said the submissions do not reflect the official position of the House.
He noted that during plenary, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who also chairs the HCCR, outlined the constitutional requirements for state creation under Section 8(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He said Kalu made it clear that any proposal must secure a two-thirds majority approval from representatives of the affected area at federal, state, and local government levels before progressing further.
Regarding local government creation, the House reaffirmed that proposals must comply with Section 8(3) of the Constitution, including a referendum process.
For clarity, the House stated that all submissions will undergo thorough legislative scrutiny, including public hearings and stakeholder engagements before any constitutional amendments can be made.
The deadline for submitting complete memoranda to the committee’s secretariat was set for March 5, 2025.
“For the avoidance of doubt, as with all constitutional amendment proposals, these submissions will undergo thorough legislative scrutiny, including public hearings, stakeholder engagements, and multiple levels of approval before any constitutional changes can be effected.
“It must be noted that the Deputy Speaker, in his capacity as Presiding Officer at today’s plenary, read the announcement as a communication from the Clerk of the Constitution Review Committee, which he chairs.
“The C’ttee will align with constitutional provisions and will only consider proposals that comply with the stipulated guidelines. Additionally, the House remains committed to a transparent and inclusive constitutional review process that reflects the will of the Nigerian people,” the statement concluded.
