None of the 31 applications for creation of new states met constitutional requirements—Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker Kalu
The applications for the creation of 31 new States creation in Nigeria have failed constitutional tests. This was stated by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, on Friday.
Declaring the applications invalid, he stated that they do not meet the constitutional requirements for the creation of states.
The Deputy Speaker made this remark during an interview with TVC News. He explained that none of the proposals had fulfilled the necessary conditions as outlined in Section 8, Subsections 1, 2, and 3 of the Nigerian Constitution.
According to Kalu, the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, which is responsible for processing the requests, has received applications through member bills and memoranda. However, he noted that these proposals had failed to meet the required legal framework for state creation.
He said, “We decided to let the people know that, granted, we have received all the applications for new states to be created, either through a member’s bill or through memoranda. However, not all of them are good enough to be created.”
Though the Deputy Speaker did not state those that met the criteria, he stressed that state creation must follow a strict constitutional process. This he said included obtaining approval from a two-thirds majority of the Senate, the House of Representatives, the State Houses of Assembly, and Local Government Councils.
Kalu said, “As we speak, none of these 30 proposals have met the requirement of Section 8. That is why we decided to bring it to the notice of Nigerians that your application before us is ineffective.”
The Deputy Speaker, however, announced that applicants have until March 5 to address the deficiencies in their applications. Kalu emphasized that there is no alternative to constitutional compliance. He, therefore, urged those seeking state creation to follow the prescribed process.
“There is no alternative to complying with the provisions of the Constitution. The Constitution is sacrosanct; it is our guiding principle. If it states that a particular process must be followed in line with the rule of law, then we must respect the supremacy of the Constitution. There is no other option.”
“Those who desire state creation must comply with the constitutional procedures and resubmit their applications. That is the window we have provided—a one-month period. Which is sufficient for applicants to address the gaps. Once they do so, we will reconsider the applications,” the Deputy Speaker said.
