Four bills seeking to create additional states in Nigeria have passed the second reading in the House of Representatives, but Adada State was notably absent from the list.
During Wednesday’s plenary, the House also passed 38 other bills focused on amending the 1999 Constitution as part of the 10th Assembly’s ongoing constitutional review process.
The 42 bills, grouped based on their legislative focus, were presented by House Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere and seconded by House Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda before being put to a voice vote.
Among the state creation bills that progressed are: “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) by amending Part 1 of the First Schedule and Creating Additional Three States Oke – Ogun State, Ijebu State and Ife – Ijesa State and for Related Matters (HB. 1098),” sponsored by Hon. Oluwole Oke.
- “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to make provisions for the Creation of ‘Tiga State’ from the Present Kano State with Headquarters in ‘Rano’ and for Related Matters (HB.1308),” sponsored by Hon. Ghali Mustapha Tijani.
- “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Create a New State in the South Eastern Region of Nigeria Known as Orlu State and for Related Matters (HB.1430),” sponsored by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere.
- “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Create an Additional State in the South East Region of Nigeria, Carved from the Existing Five (5) States to be known as Etiti State with Capital at Okigwe and for Related Matters (HB.1998),” sponsored by Hon. George Ibezimako Ozodinobi.
Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary, conducted a voice vote before passing the bills and referring them to the House Committee on Constitution Review, which he chairs.
The omission of Adada State from the list of proposed new states has raised concerns, particularly among Nsukka residents, where calls for its creation have been ongoing for years.
Adada State is widely advocated as a way to ensure equitable state distribution in the Southeast and provide greater administrative autonomy for the people of Nsukka.
While supporters of the proposed Adada State had expected its inclusion in the constitutional review, it remains unclear whether a separate bill for its creation will be introduced later in the amendment process.
The development follows the House’s earlier passage of 39 other constitutional amendment bills, which have also been referred to the committee for further legislative action.
