House of Reps Rejects 31 State Creation Proposals, Cites Constitutional Gaps

House of Reps Rejects 31 State Creation Proposals, Cites Constitutional Gaps

The House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Amendment has rejected all 31 proposals for the creation of new states, citing failure to meet constitutional requirements.

Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who also chairs the committee, made this known during a two-day retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. He revealed that despite receiving the proposals on February 6, 2025, none met the necessary criteria for consideration.

Kalu, speaking on Politics Today on Monday, February 26, 2024, emphasized that communities seeking state creation must ensure their proposals align with constitutional guidelines. However, the committee has extended the submission deadline to March 5, 2025, allowing for revisions. Further extensions may be considered based on the retreat’s outcomes.

Beyond state creation, the House Committee is currently reviewing 151 constitutional amendment bills aimed at addressing governance challenges. Kalu noted that while some of these bills have passed the second reading, others remain at earlier stages of consideration.