NASS Extends Deadline To March 5 As Applications For 31 States Creation Fail To Meet Constitutional Requirements, We’ve Received Over 200 Bills-Kalu
By Juliet Vincent
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has informed that, the National Assembly has extended the deadline for the applications for the proposal to create 31 additional states to March 5 because the applications have all failed to meet Constitutional requirements.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Livinus Nwabughiogu on Friday, he made the disclosure at the commencement of a 2-day retreat for members of the constitution review committee of the House holding at Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
Kalu who is also the Chairman of the Committee, informed that, the committee has received 31 requests for state creation added however that, none of the applications met the constitutional requirements which prompted an extension of the submission deadline to March 5, 2025 to enable the applicants to fulfill the relevant provisions.
He said, “Although we received 31 requests for State creation, none of the requests met the requirements. Thus, we have since extended the submission to the 5th of March 2025”.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has informed that, the National Assembly has received over 200 bills seeking the ongoing process on the alterations of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as emended).
Kalu has informed that, the National Assembly has received over 200 bills seeking the ongoing process on the alterations of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as emended).
The Deputy Speaker further informed that, the National Assembly has received over 200 bills seeking the ongoing process on the alterations of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as emended).
He said that, the bills have already been categorized into thematic areas to address a wide range of issues, including federal structure and power devolution, local government autonomy, public revenue, fiscal federation, revenue allocation, and electoral reforms.
Kalu said, “Distinguished colleagues, currently we have 151 House bills before us. But I’m sure these numbers are the last count before the recent additions. My office has been told that there are about 250 constitutional amendment bills that will pass through the House for this committee. This bill reflects our collective commitment to refining governance in Nigeria.
“While some have progressed to the second reading stage, others remain at the first reading stage. But it is our intention that by the time we are done with our conversation during this retreat, that we progress those bills at the first reading stage for them to be given expedited hearing.
“The compilation process has revealed instances of duplication—whether by sponsors or overlapping subject matters.This necessitates meticulous harmonization to streamline efforts and eliminate redundancy. To aid our analysis, bills have been categorized into thematic areas, and our consultants have conducted thorough reviews, offering insights to guide prioritization.
“The thematic areas include: Federal Structure and Power Devolution,Local Government/Local Government Autonomy, Public Revenue, Fiscal Federation, Revenue Allocation, Nigerian Police and Nigerian Security Architecture, Comprehensive Judicial Reforms, Electoral Reforms, Gender Issues, Human Rights, and State creation”.
