The Nigeria Senate has debunked rumors going about in the news media that it has proposed the creation of 20 additional states in the country.
In a statement titled: “Senate Committee did not Propose the Creation of 20 New States”, issued by Senate Spokesman and Chairman of Senate Committee of Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ajibola Basiru, it reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a media report that the senate committee has proposed the creation of additional 20 states.
Senator Basiru added that, “the creation of new states will only be approved if there is a compliance with the provisions of section 8 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic as amended and if the provisions in the constitution are met.
Among the provisions to be met before the approval will include having a referendum by which at least two-third majority of people in the area of concern agree to it and two-third majority of each state’s House of Assembly endorse it.
The senate spokesperson also stated that it is a gross misrepresentation of the decision of the committee by the media to report that, the senate committee is requesting for the creation of more states in the country.
Senator Basiru, however said, although the committee acknowledges receipt of several Bills proposing creation of new states, but that the senate committee is not in the position to recommend or proposed states creation unless there is full compliance with the provisions of section 8 of the 1999 constitution as amended.