In a recent revelation, Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, disclosed that none of the 31 requests for state creation have met the constitutional requirements.
Speaking at a two-day retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Kalu emphasized that the current requests did not align with the stipulations set out in Section 8 of Nigeria’s Constitution. “Although we’ve received 31 requests, none satisfy the necessary criteria for amendment. We’ve extended the submission deadline to March 5, 2025, but depending on the outcome of this retreat, we may further extend it if we identify challenges in allowing our constituents to voice their concerns,” he explained.
The retreat, which was organized in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, was focused on reviewing amendment bills and strategizing the next steps in Nigeria’s constitutional review process.
Kalu also shared that the committee is reviewing a total of 151 constitutional amendment bills, noting that one of the main obstacles in the process is duplication. As part of this review, public hearings will be held across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including states such as Nasarawa, Niger, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, and Lagos, among others.
The Deputy Speaker reassured that the entire process would remain transparent and inclusive, emphasizing the importance of legislative reforms that reflect the will and desires of the Nigerian people. “It is essential that the voices of Nigerians are central to any constitutional changes,” Kalu stated.
This announcement sets the stage for further discussions on state creation and constitutional reforms, underscoring the need for compliance with constitutional procedures while giving Nigerians the opportunity to be heard.
