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Reps extends deadline for State, LG creation proposals amid public demand

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9 months ago

March 4, 2025

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The House of Representatives’ Committee on the Review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), has extended the deadline for the submission of memoranda on the creation of new states and local governments from March 5 to March 26, 2025.

This extension follows increased public interest and demand for additional time to refine proposals.

The extension was announced in a statement issued on Monday by Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr., Spokesman for the House of Representatives.

The Committee, chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, emphasized the need to allow proponents of state and local government creation to ensure their submissions meet constitutional requirements.

Initially, the deadline for memoranda submission was set for Wednesday, March 5, 2025, but it has now been extended to Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

This decision aims to provide proponents whose previous submissions were incomplete or non-compliant with the constitution an opportunity to refine and resubmit their proposals in line with Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended).

Rotimi outlined the eligibility and submission guidelines, emphasizing that all proposals must strictly adhere to constitutional provisions:

For state creation: Section 8(1) of the Constitution mandates that a proposal must be supported by at least a two-thirds majority of elected representatives from the affected area in: The Nigerian House of Representatives; The affected State House of Assembly; The Local Government Councils of the concerned area.

For local government creation: Section 8(3) requires that the outcome of votes by the State House of Assembly and the results of a referendum be forwarded to the National Assembly for legislative action.

All proposals must be submitted in both hard and soft copies as follows: Hard copies (3 copies) to: The Secretariat of the Committee, Room H331, House of Representatives White House, National Assembly Complex, Abuja; Soft copies via email to: [email protected]

Deadline: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu reaffirmed the House’s dedication to a fair, transparent, and constitutionally guided process, stating:

“This decision is a direct response to the appeals from Nigerians who wish to have their submissions reconsidered. Our goal remains to facilitate a thorough and constitutionally compliant process that addresses legitimate aspirations for state and local government creation. The Committee will fairly evaluate all submissions that meet the established constitutional requirements.”

The House of Representatives emphasized its commitment to upholding democratic principles, ensuring all legislative actions, including state and local government creation, align with constitutional provisions and the broader interests of the Nigerian people.

The issue of state creation has been a longstanding debate in Nigeria’s political landscape. Proponents argue that additional states and local governments will enhance governance, accelerate development, and bring government closer to the people.

However, critics warn that creating new states could lead to increased administrative costs and further strain federal resources. If approved, this restructuring would be one of Nigeria’s most significant political shifts since the last major state creation exercise in 1996, which increased the number of states from 30 to 36.

As the proposals progress through the constitutional amendment process, they are expected to generate intense discussions among lawmakers, political analysts, and the general public.

On February 6, 2025, during a plenary session in Abuja, Deputy Speaker Kalu read a letter from the Committee detailing about 31 additional state proposals.

In response, House Spokesman Akin Rotimi Jr. clarified that these proposals were submitted as private member bills and do not represent the official position of the House of Representatives.