Bills to create 4 states scale second reading

The House of Representatives has advanced four bills proposing the creation of additional states in Nigeria, passing them through the second reading on Wednesday, March 26. Alongside these, lawmakers also approved 38 other bills seeking to amend various sections of the 1999 Constitution as part of the ongoing constitutional review by the 10th Assembly.

The 42 bills, categorized based on their focus, were presented by House Leader Rep. Julius Ihonvbere and seconded by Minority Leader Rep. Kingsley Chinda before being passed. Among them were bills proposing the creation of Oke-Ogun, Ijebu, Ife-Ijesa, Tiga, Orlu, and Etiti states.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) by amending Part 1 of the First Schedule and Creating Additional Three States Oke-Ogun State, Ijebu State and Ife-Ijesa State and for Related Matters,” sponsored by Rep. Oluwole Oke, seeks to restructure the southwest region.

Another bill, sponsored by Rep. Ghali Mustapha Tijani, proposes the creation of Tiga State from the present Kano State, with Rano as its capital. Similarly, Rep. Ikweagwuonu Ugochinyere’s bill seeks to establish Orlu State in the southeastern region, while Rep. George Ibezimako Ozodinobi’s bill calls for the formation of Etiti State, carved from the existing five southeastern states, with Okigwe as its capital.

After their presentation, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary, put the bills to a voice vote, after which they were passed and referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review.

The latest development follows the passage of 39 constitutional amendment bills on Tuesday, all of which were also forwarded to the committee for further deliberation.