House of Reps Committee Rejects 31 State Creation Proposals Over Constitutional Gaps
In a significant development, the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Amendment has rejected all 31 proposals for the creation of new states, citing a failure to meet constitutional requirements.
State Creation Proposals Fall Short
Despite widespread agitation for the restructuring of Nigeria’s political landscape, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, confirmed that none of the proposals submitted met the necessary constitutional criteria for consideration.
Speaking at a two-day legislative retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Kalu, who also chairs the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, emphasized the need for strict adherence to legal provisions in the state creation process.
“Although we have received 31 requests for state creation, none of these requests met the constitutional requirements for amendment,” Kalu stated, effectively shutting down hopes of immediate progress on the matter.
Extended Deadline Offers a Lifeline
Despite the blanket rejection, the House Committee has extended the deadline for submissions to March 5, 2025, allowing communities to revise and strengthen their proposals. Kalu also suggested that further extensions might be considered, depending on recommendations from the legislative retreat.
Broader Constitutional Reforms in Progress
Beyond state creation, the House Committee is currently reviewing 151 constitutional amendment bills aimed at addressing critical governance challenges in Nigeria. Some of these bills have already passed the second reading, while others remain at the preliminary stages.
The retreat, organized by the 10th House of Representatives in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), is a crucial part of the legislative process to reform Nigeria’s governance structure.
Implications for State Creation Advocates
The rejection of all 31 proposals underscores the complexity and rigorous nature of state creation under Nigeria’s legal framework. Communities pushing for new states must now reassess their strategies and ensure compliance with constitutional stipulations if they hope to advance their demands.
As the constitutional review process unfolds, the fate of new state creation remains uncertain, with political and legal hurdles standing in the way of significant territorial restructuring in Nigeria.
Reference
House of Reps Committee Rejects 31 State Creation Proposals Over Constitutional Gaps