The deadline for the submission of memoranda on the creation of new states and local governments has been extended to March 26, 2025.
The House of Representatives rose from its Monday plenary to issue the deadline extension after the general public called for more time to rejig and tender their legislative proposals in line with Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
In a statement issued by the House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, proposals that meet specific requirements stand a good chance of being considered by the lawmakers.
Besides, the statement stressed that such proposals must also earn the backing of at least a two-thirds majority of elected parliamentarians representing the affected area in the Senate, House of Representatives, state House of Assembly, and local government councils.
The statement stated that the results of votes by the state House of Assembly and the outcome of the referendum must be forwarded to the National Assembly for immediate legislative action before a local government can be created.
It would be recalled that the House Committee on Constitution Review confirmed that none of the submitted proposals to create an additional 31 states met the constitutional requirement.
According to the statement, submission directives include three hard copies, which must be transmitted to the Secretariat of the Committee Room H331, House of Representatives White House, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, while soft copies should be emailed to: [email protected], with the deadline being Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, said that the vision of the lawmakers is geared toward facilitating a thorough and constitutionally compliant process that addresses legitimate aspirations for state and local government creation.
“The House of Representatives is dedicated to upholding democratic principles and ensuring that all legislative processes align with constitutional provisions and the broader interests of the Nigerian people,” he said.
