The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has received requests for the creation of 31 new states, including Okura State for the Igalas, The Bureau Newspaper reports.
The request was confirmed in a letter from the committee, which was read during Thursday’s plenary by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu. The letter also outlined the constitutional requirements that must be met before any state creation request can be granted.
Proposed States Include Okura, Okun, and Confluence from Kogi
Among the proposed states, Kogi State alone has three requests:
- Okura State (for Igala land)
- Okun State
- Confluence State
Other proposed states include Benue Ala and Apa from Benue, FCT State, Amana from Adamawa, Katagum from Bauchi, Savannah from Borno, and Muri from Taraba.
The list also includes New Kaduna and Gurara from Kaduna, Tiga and Ari from Kano, Kainji from Kebbi, Etiti and Orashi from the South East, Adada from Enugu, and Orlu and Aba from the South East.
Additionally, the proposals include Ogoja from Cross River, Warri from Delta, Ori and Obolo from Rivers, Torumbe from Ondo, Ibadan from Oyo, Lagoon from Lagos, Ijebu from Ogun, and Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo, Ogun, and Osun States.
Constitutional Requirements for State Creation
The committee emphasized that Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution outlines strict requirements for state creation. Among the conditions are:
- A request must be supported by at least two-thirds of the Senate, House of Representatives, House of Assembly, and Local Government Councils in the affected areas.
- A referendum must be conducted, with approval from the State Houses of Assembly, before forwarding the outcome to the National Assembly for final consideration.
The committee urged proponents of state creation to submit three hard copies of their full proposals to the Secretariat of the Committee at Room H331, House of Representatives, White House, National Assembly Complex, Abuja. Electronic copies should also be sent to the committee’s official email.
While the process remains rigorous, the latest move rekindles hope for the creation of Okura State and other proposed states across the country.
