House of Representatives spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, has clarified that the recent proposals for the creation of 31 new states do not reflect an official resolution of the parliament.
According to reports, during Thursday’s plenary session, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu—who also chairs the Constitution Review Committee—acknowledged that the House had received several requests for state creation. He directed that all proposals must comply with Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution and be resubmitted by March 5. This section outlines the legal framework for establishing new states.
In a statement on Friday, Rotimi dismissed reports suggesting that the House was actively pushing for the creation of new states. He stressed that, like all constitutional amendment proposals, these submissions must go through extensive legislative scrutiny, including public hearings, stakeholder consultations, and multiple approval stages before any constitutional changes can take place.
“This information is inaccurate and misrepresents the legislative process,” he said.
“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 made.”
He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to following constitutional provisions and only considering proposals that meet the stipulated guidelines.
Rotimi assured Nigerians that the House remains committed to a transparent and inclusive constitutional review process that aligns with the collective will of the people.
Recall that Gistreel had previously reported that the proposal by the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee to create 31 additional states has sparked widespread reactions from prominent individuals and socio-political groups across the country.
Similarly, former House of Representatives member Barth Nnanna has strongly opposed the idea, arguing that adding 31 more states would make governance in Nigeria cumbersome, unmanageable, and chaotic.
