Spokesman of the 10th National Assembly, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, says the Senate has received 61 proposals for state creation from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones but has not recommended any for approval.
Speaking to journalists in Ilawe-Ekiti over the weekend, Adaramodu said the Senate lacks the constitutional power to unilaterally create states, describing the process as complex and dependent on demographic, geographic, and historical considerations.
He explained that the proposals will be reviewed by the Constitutional Review Committee, chaired by Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau, before a report is presented to the Senate and House of Representatives. A public hearing will then be held to allow stakeholders to present arguments for and against the requests.
“State creation is a serious matter that requires careful auditing. Even within requesting states, there are sometimes divisions over the proposals,” Adaramodu said, stressing that no state has been recommended so far.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Dr. E.C. Okeke, has denied reports that South East monarchs endorsed the creation of Anioma State.
In a statement issued at the weekend, Okeke said the council has never discussed Anioma State but has consistently supported the creation of Anim and Adada States in the South East.
“Anybody acting on such false claims from non-indigenes of the South East is doing so at their own peril,” he warned.
