All 31 Proposals to Create New States Fail to Meet Requirements -Reps

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has announced that none of the proposals received for the creation of 31 new states in Nigeria has met the necessary constitutional requirements.

Kalu made the disclosure on Friday at the opening of a two-day retreat for committee members held in Ikot Ekpene.

This announcement comes as the Deputy Speaker also revealed that the House has received over 200 bills seeking alterations to the 1999 Constitution (as amended). These bills, Kalu stated, demonstrate a national commitment to improving governance. He noted that some bills have progressed to the second reading stage, while others remain at the first reading.

The retreat’s objectives, according to Kalu, include a comprehensive review of the submitted bills, incorporating insights from consultants, familiarizing committee members with the bill contents, prioritizing bills based on national interest, and preparing for upcoming zonal public hearings and a joint/harmonization meeting with the Senate.

ALSO READ: Warri, New Kaduna, Ibadan, Ijebu, Ogoja and 27 Other States proposed by House of Reps

The 200+ bills have been categorised into thematic areas, addressing diverse issues such as federal structure and power devolution, local government autonomy, public revenue, fiscal federation, revenue allocation, and electoral reforms. The committee’s work is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of Nigeria’s governance framework.