From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has set March 26 as the new deadline for the submission of proposals for the creation of new states and new local government areas.
The deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary,
Levinus Nwabughiogu,on Monday, said the extension of the deadline was in response to requests for more time by proponents of new states.
Kalu, who doubles as the chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, had on February 6, disclosed that the panel had received proposals for the creation of 31 new states.
Nevertheless, he explained that none of the proposals met with the condition for the creation of new states as enshrined in Section 8(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Consequently, the deputy speaker noted that the panel has set March 5 as the deadline for the proponents to re-submit their proposals.
Nonetheless, Kalu, while noting that the Committee is committed to supporting legitimate agitations for new states, all the proposals must meet with the provisions of the Constitution.
“The Committee also reminded proponents of state and local government creation that all submissions must strictly comply with the provisions of Section 8(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended).
“Section 8(1) requires that a request, supported by at least a two-thirds majority of members representing the area demanding the creation of the new state, must be received by the National Assembly in each of the following: the Senate and the House of Representatives, the House of Assembly of the affected area, and the Local Government Councils of the affected area.
“The Committee also reminded advocates for the creation of additional Local Government Areas that Section 8 of the Constitution applies to this process.
“Specifically, in accordance with Section 8(3), the outcomes of votes by the State Houses of Assembly and the referendum must be forwarded to the National Assembly for further legislative action,” he stated.