The House of Representatives has clarified reports on proposals for the creation of 31 new states received by its Committee on Constitution Review, stating that the proposals do not reflect its official position.
In a statement released on its X platform on Thursday and signed by the House Spokesman, Rep Akin Rotimi Jr, Reps dismissed media reports suggesting it was advocating for the creation of new states, emphasising that such claims misrepresent the legislative process.
It wrote, “The House of Representatives wishes to clarify recent media reports suggesting that it is proposing the creation of 31 new states. This information is inaccurate and misrepresents the legislative process.
“During plenary on Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Deputy Speaker, who also serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review (HCCR), announced that the Committee had received 31 proposals for the creation of new states.
“These proposals, submitted as private member bills, do not represent the official position of the House.”
The House, however, stated that the Deputy Speaker read out the constitutional requirements for such bills to progress to the next stage.
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“The mandatory constitutional requirements for such bills to progress to the next stage of legislative scrutiny were read out by the Deputy Speaker for the notice of Members and onward action.
“The Committee has reviewed the proposals for the creation of new states in accordance with Section 8(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (As Amended),” the statement partly reads.
The further added that these proposals will undergo thorough legislative scrutiny, including public hearings among others before constitutional changes can be effected.
“For the avoidance of doubt, as with all constitutional amendment proposals, these submissions will undergo thorough legislative scrutiny, including public hearings, stakeholder engagements, and multiple levels of approval before any constitutional changes can be effected.
“It must be noted that the Deputy Speaker, in his capacity as Presiding Officer at today’s plenary, read the announcement as a communication from the Clerk of the Constitution Review Committee, which he chairs.
“The C’ttee will align with constitutional provisions and will only consider proposals that comply with the stipulated guidelines. Additionally, the House remains committed to a transparent and inclusive constitutional review process that reflects the will of the Nigerian people,” the statement added.
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