The Senate has announced that all proposals for the creation of new states will undergo a rigorous review process before any recommendation or approval is made. Lawmakers say the approach will be guided by national interest, transparency, and adherence to due process.
Senate spokesperson and Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, revealed that the National Assembly has so far received no fewer than 61 formal requests from across the six geopolitical zones.
Adaramodu explains process state creation will pass
Speaking in Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Adaramodu said the proposals were submitted during various engagements with constituents, the Nigerian Tribune reported.
According to him, the process will begin with the Constitutional Review Committee, led by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, which will compile, assess, and filter the requests. The committee’s report will then be presented to the Senate.
Adaramodu explained that the Senate and House of Representatives will hold joint public hearings to allow all stakeholders, including those opposed to state creation, to present their positions. Only after these sessions will a decision be made on which requests merit further action.
“State creation is a serious matter that involves careful auditing of demographic, geographic, and historical data. In some cases, even within the requesting states, there is no total agreement. All these realities must be considered before any recommendation,” he said.
The senator added that, at present, no state has been shortlisted for creation. He maintained that it would be premature to predict the outcome before the public hearings and the collation of final reports.
