1999 Constitution Review: Senate To Consider States Creation Requests, State Police, Other Bills

The Senate committee responsible for reviewing the 1999 constitution has announced that it will evaluate 31 proposals for the creation of new states as part of a renewed effort to amend Nigeria's constitution.

The Deputy President of the Senate and the committee's chairman, Barau Jibrin, stated that these proposals will be assessed during a two-day zonal public hearing set for July 4 and 5, 2025.

All Facts News understands that the hearings are scheduled to occur concurrently in Lagos (south-west), Enugu (south-east), Ikot Ekpene (south-south), Jos (north-central), Maiduguri (north-east), and Kano (north-west).

In a statement released on Sunday, the special adviser on media and publicity to the deputy Senate president, Ismail Mudashir, indicated that the committee is dedicated to collecting input from citizens regarding a broad spectrum of constitutional amendments.

Mudashir noted that the committee has received five requests for state creation from the south-west, south-south, and north-central zones; seven from the north-east; six from the north-west; and three from the south-east.

He further mentioned that the committee will also address significant national issues, including local government autonomy, judicial and electoral reforms, state police, and inclusive governance.

According to him, one of the proposed bills aims to establish local governments as a constitutionally recognised level of government with assured tenure.

The statement also highlighted other bills to be considered, which include: "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.

"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.ÔÇØ

He stated that the committee will also evaluate a bill aimed at increasing the number of legislative seats for women in both the national and state assemblies as part of initiatives to promote gender inclusion.

Mudashir mentioned that a proposal to create national, state, and local government councils of traditional rulers will also be assessed to reinforce traditional institutions.

Regarding electoral reform, he indicated that bills permitting independent candidacy at all levels and facilitating voting for the diaspora are also included in the agenda.

He noted that over 20 bills concerning judicial reform will be reviewed, including those that suggest timelines for judgment delivery and an expanded jurisdiction for election tribunals.

He further added that some proposals are intended to decentralise powers by transferring items such as labour and shipping from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list.

Mudashir urged citizens to engage actively in the zonal hearings, emphasising that public involvement is essential to the constitutional amendment process.

On June 13, the senator representing Imo West, Osita Izunaso, stated that the red chamber is deliberating on a bill for the establishment of 'Anim State' within the south-east geopolitical zone.

During a media briefing in Abuja, Izunaso mentioned that the bill has successfully passed its second reading and is currently under review by the committee on constitution.

He clarified that the proposed state would be formed from portions of Anambra and Imo.