State Creation: 69 Bills Under Review as National Assembly Targets Year-End Amendment
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that as the year 2025 is running to an end, the National Assembly has commenced discussions on finalizing constitutional amendments that could lead to the creation of 55 new states and 278 additional local government areas across Nigeria.
OTN News further reports as gathered that the deputy senate president, Barau Jibrin, who represents Kano North under the APC, revealed this during a two-day joint retreat of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, held in Lagos.
OTN News observes that Barau, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to delivering amendments that are both people-centered and timely.
According to him, the review process has been ongoing for two years, involving engagements with constituents, stakeholders, civil society groups, and institutions through town halls and public hearings.
He further explained that these consultations have produced 69 bills, 55 state creation requests, two boundary adjustment proposals, and 278 local government creation requests.
Barau expressed optimism that the committees could make substantial progress within the two-day retreat despite the complex nature of the deliberations.
"It’s not an easy task to accomplish in just two days, but I believe we can achieve it," he noted, emphasizing that lawmakers had already promised Nigerians to deliver the first set of amendments before the year ends.
He urged members to ensure that the first set of proposed amendments is transmitted to state Houses of Assembly before the end of the year.
He furthers called on lawmakers to maintain unity and patriotism throughout the review process, warning against divisive tendencies.
We are seated here as one committee. There should be no ‘we’ and ‘them.’ We must be guided by the collective interest of Nigerians. I wish us all fruitful deliberations and hope that our recommendations will meet the constitutional threshold required under Section 9," he added.
What's Your Reaction?
