Nigeria Faces Political Earthquake As Lawmakers Debate 46 Fresh States

The Nigerian House of Representatives has been inundated with 46 fresh proposals advocating for the creation of new states across all six geopolitical zones, sparking renewed national debate over restructuring and regional equity.

According to iReporter Online, these statehood demands stem from years of agitation for identity recognition, administrative convenience, and fair representation in the federal structure.

From the North East, proposals include Savannah (from Borno), Katagum (from Bauchi), Amana (from Adamawa), and Sardauna, Muri, and Kwararafa (all from Taraba). In the North West , submissions include Gurara and New Kaduna (from Kaduna), Hadejia (from Jigawa), Gobir (from Sokoto), Kainji (from Kebbi and Niger), and both Tiga and Ghari (from Kano).

The North Central region proposes Edu (from Niger), Okun and Okura (from Kogi), South Plateau and Lowland (from Plateau), New Kogi (from Kogi, Nasarawa, and Edo), Ifesowapo (from Kwara), Abuja State (from the FCT), and Apa, Apa-Agba, and Ayatutu (from Benue). Meanwhile, the South East has tabled proposals for Orashi (from Anambra, Imo, and Rivers), Orlu, Anioma, Etiti, Aba, and Adada (from Enugu).

In the South South, proposals include Atlantic City, Bori, and Iwuroha (from Rivers); Obolo (from Akwa Ibom); Warri and Toru-Ebe (from Delta); and Ogoja (from Cross River). The South West seeks to create Ijebu and Remo (from Ogun), Igbomina (from Osun, Kwara, and Ekiti), Oke-Ogun, Ibadan, and New Oyo (from Oyo), Ife-Ijesha (from Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti), and Lagoon (from Lagos and Ogun).

According to iReporter Online, these demands are accompanied by bold constitutional reform proposals seeking to overhaul Nigeria’s centralized power structure. These reforms include amending the 1999 Constitution to decentralize policing, allow state-controlled police forces, grant local governments autonomous police units, and establish a Federal Police Bureau for national-level crime.

The House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has officially acknowledged receipt of these proposals. According to iReporter Online, proponents believe the creation of new states would correct deep-rooted political imbalances, foster grassroots development, and align governance with Nigeria’s complex ethnic and regional realities. However, the process involves a lengthy constitutional amendment route that demands widespread political consensus and national cooperation.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”