House of Reps Committee Receives Proposals for Creation of 31 New States, Analysts React
- A committee in the House of Representatives has received proposals for the creation of 31 new states in Nigeria
- Public affairs analyst and lawyer, Amadi Anyakweh Miracle Esq., says creation of additional states will address issues of marginalization.
- Barrister Oluwole Olukunle Moses, a political analyst questioned how the required "two-thirds" majority for the states' creation can be determined without a recent population census
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Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events
FCT, Abuja - The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution said it received 31 proposals for the creation of new states.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu read a letter from the committee during plenary on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
Source: UGC
As reported by The Nation, the 31 new states cut across the six geopolitical zones.
Kalu highlighted the conditions that must be met before any state creation requests can be approved by the national assembly.
According to the letter, the North Central has 5, the North East has 4, the North West has 5, the South East has 5, the South South has 4, and the South West has 7.
The proposed states are: Okun, Okura, and Confluence (Kogi); Benue Ala and Apa (Benue); FCT State; Amana (Adamawa); Katagum (Bauchi); Savannah (Borno); and Muri (Taraba).
The states also include New Kaduna state and Gujarat states from Kaduna state; Tiga and Ari from Kano, and Kainji from Kebbi state; Etiti and Orashi as the 6th state in the South East, Adada from Enugu, Orlu abd Aba from. The South East.
Others are Ogoja 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, Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo/Ogun/Osun states.
Legit.ng earlier reported that the National Assembly's recent moves to create new states in the country may be the wrong step for Nigeria in the face of economic challenges.
Titilope Anifowoshe, a legal practitioner, in an interview with Legit.ng, posited that some states in Nigeria could not generate internal revenue and creating other states could mount more pressure on the federal government.
Anifowoshe then suggested that a new and working local government would bring government nearer to the people than creating new states.
Creation of additional 31 states will address marginalisation - Analyst
Public affairs analyst and lawyer, Amadi Anyakweh Miracle Esq., has thrown his weight behind the proposal to create additional states in Nigeria, saying there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
Speaking exclusively to Legit.ng, Miracle noted that several groups and sections of the country clamouring for inclusion and recognition, have made the creation of states necessary.
He explained that the moment these states are created, they will automatically get members who will represent them in the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as have their own House of Assembly and local government.
His words:
"This will provide political opportunities, and the effect of government and its impact will also directly get to them, unlike the way it used to be."
He noted that Nigeria's growing population makes it necessary to bring the government closer to the people, adding that it is a step in the right direction.
On the legal framework, Miracle described the process as cumbersome, involving a request from members of the National Assembly, supported by a two-thirds majority of members from the existing state.
The request, he said, will be sent to the house of assembly and local government areas for approval, before being returned to the national assembly for voting. If approved, a referendum will be conducted to gauge the support of the people.
Miracle expressed his support for the proposal, saying it is timely and will provide opportunities for employment and infrastructure development.
"It's a cumbersome process, it's not something that just happens in a snap. I find it quite timely for it to happen. The government has to be closer to the people. If additional states are created there will be room for employment — because you will be talking about buildings and facilities for this state. Direct and indirect jobs will be created.”
No census, no 'two-thirds' - Lawyer raises concerns on states’ creation
Barrister Oluwole Olukunle Moses has raised concerns over the proposal to create 31 new states in Nigeria, questioning how the required "two-thirds" majority can be determined without a recent population census.
The proposal by the house of representatives committee to create 31 new states, the political analyst added, has significant political implications.
Moses, who spoke with Legit.ng, also expressed concerns about the potential drawbacks, stating:
"I'm of the view that increasing states would lead to a rise in administrative costs and further strain at the federal level."
The lawyer further questioned the feasibility of the proposal, saying:
"How do you want to determine the 'two-third' of the people in the area making request when there has been no population census in Nigeria for many years?"
Raising concerns about the conduct of the referendum, he wondered:
"How do you want to carry out the referendum in order to ensure that the proposal actually represents the will of the people in the particular area?"
He opined that the proposal will promote inclusivity and address historical imbalances, but still requires careful consideration of constitutional requirements, and its impact on Nigeria's federal structure.
Full list: How 36 Nigerian states were created
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives recently begun the debate to create new states in Nigeria.
Historically, all the states created in Nigeria were founded during the military regime, and it would be a success for the 10th National Assembly if it created one.
The list of the states created by the military has been compiled, including their years of establishment and how they were created.
Proofread by Kola Muhammed, journalist and copyeditor at Legit.ng
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Source: Legit.ng
Adekunle Dada (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Adekunle Dada is a trained journalist with over 7 years of working experience. He is also a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a B.Sc. in Mass Communication From Lagos State University, Ojo. Adekunle previously worked at PM News, The Sun, and Within Nigeria where he expressed his journalistic skills with well-researched articles and features. In 2024, Adekunle obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. He can be reached via adekunle.dada@corp.legit.ng.
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