Dialogue on proposed 31 new states to hold July 4, 5 – Senate
The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has said it would hold public hearings on the proposed 31 new states. Deputy Senate president, Senator Barau Jibrin, who doubles as the committee chairman, said the hearing would hold simultaneously in Lagos (south-west), Enugu (south-east), Ikot Ekpene (south-south), Jos (north-central), Maiduguri (north-east), and Kano (north-west) between July 4 and 5, 2025. According to a statement, the proposed states comprises five each in the south-west, south-south and north-central zones. Similarly, there is proposals to carve out seven states from the north-east geo-political axis; six in the north-west; and three in the south-east.
The review committee would also consider national issues relating to local government autonomy, judicial and electoral reforms, state police, and inclusive governance.
“The second bill on local government reforms seeks to create an independent National Local Government Electoral Commission (NALGEC) to organise, conduct and supervise local government elections,” a statement from Barau’s office stated.
“Also to be considered during the zonal public hearing are two bills on security and policing for the establishment of state police and state security council to coordinate internal security policies at the sub-national level.
“In the area of fiscal reforms, six bills are going to be considered including the one to empower the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission to enforce compliance of remittance of accruals into and disbursement of revenue from the Federation Account and streamline the procedure for reviewing the revenue allocation formula.
“Also, on fiscal reforms, a bill to alter the provisions of the constitution to specify the period within which the president or the governor of a state shall present the appropriation bill before the National Assembly or House of Assembly will be discussed during the hearing.”
Other burning issues the committee is considering include a bill to create additional seats for women in the national and state assemblies, in the bid to foster gender inclusion. The committee would also consider independent candidacy at all levels, as well as diaspora voting.
