House of Representatives Clarifies Media Reports on State Creation Proposals

House of Representatives, National Assembly
Office of the House Spokesman

Press Statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Clarification on Media Reports Regarding State Creation Proposals

Abuja, FCT | Thursday, February 6, 2025 – The House of Representatives wishes to clarify recent media reports suggesting that it is proposing the creation of 31 new states. This information is inaccurate and misrepresents the legislative process.

During plenary on Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Deputy Speaker, who also serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review (HCCR), announced that the Committee had received 31 proposals for state creation. These proposals, submitted as private member bills, do not represent the official position of the House.

The Deputy Speaker outlined the mandatory constitutional requirements that must be met before any state creation bill can progress to the next stage of legislative scrutiny.

“The Committee has reviewed the proposals for state creation in accordance with Section 8(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). This section specifies the conditions that must be satisfied to initiate the process, including the following:

New State and Boundaries

1. An Act of the National Assembly to create a new state shall only be passed if:

• (a) It is supported by at least a two-thirds majority of members representing the area demanding the new state in each of the following: the Senate and House of Representatives, the House of Assembly of the state in question, and the Local Government Council(s) within the area, as submitted to the National Assembly.”

Regarding the creation of new Local Government Councils, the Deputy Speaker further stated:

“Specifically, in accordance with Section 8(3) of the Constitution, the outcome of votes from State Houses of Assembly in a referendum must be forwarded to the National Assembly before any consideration of state demands.”

In line with constitutional provisions, he also directed that all proposals be submitted in strict adherence to these stipulations:

“Submit three hard copies of the full proposal or memorandum to the Secretariat of the Committee at Room H331, House of Representatives, White House, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, no later than Wednesday, March 5, 2025,” he stated.

For clarity, 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 is important to note that the Deputy Speaker, in his role as the Presiding Officer during today’s plenary, read this announcement as a communication from the Clerk of the Constitution Review Committee, which he chairs. The Committee will only consider proposals that comply with the constitutional guidelines.

The House remains committed to a transparent and inclusive constitutional review process that reflects the will and aspirations of the Nigerian people.

Signed,
Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr.
Spokesman, House of Representatives
February 6, 2025

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