No State Creation Request Meets Constitutional Criteria – Deputy Speaker.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has revealed that none of the 31 proposals for state creation have met the constitutional requirements necessary for approval.
Speaking at a two-day retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Kalu—who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution—announced that the submission deadline has been extended to 5 March 2025. This extension aims to give applicants more time to fulfil the necessary conditions.
“This retreat may further extend the deadline if we determine that those we represent are still facing challenges in making their voices heard,” Kalu stated.
Constitutional Review in Progress
The retreat, organised in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, focused on strategies for constitutional amendments and the review of proposed bills.
Kalu disclosed that the committee is currently evaluating 151 amendment bills, acknowledging that duplication of proposals remains a significant challenge. He assured Nigerians that the review process would be conducted transparently and inclusively to ensure legislative reforms align with the will of the people.
As part of the review process, public hearings will be held across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including sessions in Nasarawa, Niger, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Sokoto, Enugu, Imo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Lagos, and Ondo states.
Kalu reiterated the committee’s commitment to delivering meaningful constitutional reforms that reflect the aspirations of Nigerians while ensuring that any requests for state creation strictly adhere to the legal framework.
