The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has revealed that none of the proposals for creating 31 new states in Nigeria met the constitutional requirements.
Kalu, who also serves as the Deputy Speaker of the House, made this known on Friday during a two-day retreat for members of the constitution review committee in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
According to him, the committee has received over 200 bills seeking to amend various sections of the 1999 Constitution.
These bills, categorized into thematic areas, focus on key governance issues such as federal structure and power devolution, local government autonomy, revenue allocation, and electoral reforms.
Kalu disclosed that 151 constitutional amendment bills had already been submitted before the retreat, but the latest count indicates that the number has now risen to approximately 250.
“This bill reflects our collective commitment to refining governance in Nigeria. While some have progressed to the second reading stage, others remain at the first reading stage. But it is our intention that by the time we are done with our conversation during this retreat, we progress those bills at the first reading stage for them to be given expedited hearing,” Kalu stated.
The committee aims to prioritize bills based on national interest and prepare for zonal public hearings and harmonization meetings with the Senate. However, Kalu also pointed out that the compilation process has revealed instances of duplication, either due to multiple sponsors or overlapping subject matters.
Despite the push for state creation, the Deputy Speaker emphasized that none of the proposals met the strict constitutional requirements, signaling a major setback for those advocating for new states.
