The National Assembly Joint Committee on Structure Evaluate has authorised the creation of six new states, one in every of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, as a part of its decision within the ongoing evaluate of the nation’s structure.
If ratified, the variety of states within the nation will rise from 36 to 42, with the North-west having eight, and the North-east, North-central, South-west, and South-south having seven every, and the South-east six.
The choice was reached throughout a two-day retreat held in Lagos from Friday to Saturday.
The committee additionally resolved to ascertain a sub-committee to find out the particular areas from which the six new states will likely be created. Chief Whip of the Senate, Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), was appointed to chair the sub-committee.
The retreat reviewed 55 proposals for brand new states, two boundary adjustment requests, and 278 requests for the creation of further native authorities areas from numerous curiosity teams throughout the nation.
PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the committee resolved to create a state for the South-east to deliver the variety of states within the zone to 6. It at present has 5 states: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.
Chairpersons of each chambers of the Nationwide Meeting, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu, are anticipated to current the committee’s resolutions when lawmakers reconvene for plenary.
The proposals will then be debated on the Committee of the Complete, the place members will vote to approve or reject them.
Constitutional process for creating new states
Part 8 of Nigeria’s structure outlines the procedures and necessities for the creation of latest states.
It stipulates that the method should start with a proper request signed by a minimum of two-thirds of the elected representatives (Senators, members of the Home of Representatives, and members of the State Home of Meeting) from the realm in search of the brand new state.
Based on Part 8(1)(b), the proposal should then be authorised in a referendum by a minimum of a two-thirds majority of the folks within the space demanding the brand new state.
Below Part 8(1)(c), the end result of the referendum should subsequently be endorsed by a easy majority of all of the states within the federation, supported by a easy majority of members of the State Homes of Meeting. Which means the referendum should obtain approval from a minimum of 19 states and never lower than 51 per cent of state lawmakers nationwide.
Lastly, Part 8(1)(d) requires that the proposal be authorised by a two-thirds majority of members in every chamber of the Nationwide Meeting.
As soon as these steps are accomplished, the resolutions are transmitted to the President for last assent.
Potential challenges
The joint committee had earlier pledged to conclude the structure evaluate course of and transmit its last suggestions to state Homes of Meeting earlier than the tip of the 12 months.
Since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, the 1999 Structure has confronted widespread criticism for being outdated in gentle of the nation’s technological, social, and political evolution. Though the Nationwide Meeting has amended the doc 5 occasions, many proposed modifications have been rejected by state legislatures.
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Over time, the evaluate has additionally attracted public concern over its price, as every section of the train has been allotted vital funds.
The approval for six new states is anticipated to generate contemporary political contestation amongst governors and influential political figures in search of to have the brand new states situated inside their areas.
For example, within the South-west, a invoice proposing the creation of Ibadan State has handed second studying within the Home of Representatives, whereas one other in search of to ascertain Ijebu State can be into consideration.
Equally, there’s a invoice proposing the creation of Anioma State, at present a part of Delta State. The invoice is sponsored by Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North). There have been agitations that Anioma must be recognised because the sixth state within the South-east geopolitical zone, provided that it’s a predominantly Igbo-speaking space, moderately than approving any of the opposite ongoing state creation proposals within the South-east.
