No New States Approved Yet, Senate President Akpabio Clarifies Amid Public Speculation

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has stated clearly that the National Assembly has not approved the creation of any new state in Nigeria as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process. His clarification came during plenary, following concerns raised by Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central.

Akpabio explained that while the Constitution Review Committee has received more than 42 different proposals for the creation of new states, none of these proposals has completed the necessary legislative steps. He emphasized that the process of creating a state involves a lengthy and complex constitutional procedure, which, so far, has not been fulfilled in any instance.

The Senate President cautioned communities across the country against holding meetings or initiating mobilization efforts based on speculative reports about new states. He reiterated that no new state has been legally approved by the Senate or any other arm of the National Assembly.

He urged Nigerians to disregard unofficial claims and rely solely on verified announcements from the National Assembly regarding constitutional matters. According to him, the public should be wary of misinformation that could lead to false expectations or unnecessary tension.

Meanwhile, the Senate has announced plans to hold a special session on Wednesday in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. The session will reflect on his legacy and contributions to national development following news of his recent demise.