BREAKING: Reps panel rejects proposals for creation of Apa State, 30 others

The House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Amendment has rejected all 31 proposals for state creation, incuding Apa State. citing failure to meet constitutional requirements.

IDOMA VOICE reports that the proposals, submitted on February 6, 2025, were dismissed for not adhering to Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the criteria for state creation.

Speaking on Friday at a retreat for panel members in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Committee, acknowledged that the requests reflected regional aspirations but emphasized the need for strict compliance with constitutional provisions.

“No Proposal Met Constitutional Requirements”
Kalu announced that proposers must resubmit their requests in “strict adherence” to constitutional guidelines by March 5, 2025.

“Although we have received 31 requests for state creation, none met the constitutional requirements for amendment. Therefore, we have extended the submission deadline to March 5, 2025,” he said.

He added that the committee may consider further extending the deadline, depending on deliberations at the retreat.

“At the end of this retreat, we will review whether or not to extend the deadline,” Kalu said. “But let it be clear that none of the applications complied with Section 8 of the Constitution.”