By Our Correspondent
The spokesperson for the Senate, Yemi Adaramodu, has delivered a blunt message to those pushing for the creation of Anim, Orashi, Adada and other proposed states — the Red Chamber is not in a position to approve any new state at the moment.
Speaking to journalists in Ilawe Ekiti over the weekend, Adaramodu revealed that although the upper chamber has received about 61 proposals for state creation from across the six geopolitical zones, the Senate has no constitutional authority to unilaterally approve such demands.
He clarified that new states can only be considered during a formal constitutional review process — a process that demands the active participation of Nigerians, state assemblies, and other critical stakeholders. This review, he noted, would also weigh in on other constitutional matters, such as local government autonomy and the creation of additional local councils.
“All proposals gathered during consultations will be handed to the constitutional review committee led by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau,” Adaramodu explained. “The committee will then scrutinize, filter and present a final report to the Senate.”
The Senate spokesman stressed that state creation is no casual affair, pointing to the need for rigorous auditing of demographic, geographic, and historical data before any decision is made. He further revealed that even within some of the states clamouring for new boundaries, there is no unanimous support for the proposals.
“No state has been recommended for creation yet,” he maintained, adding that only after a public hearing — once the National Assembly reconvenes — will any final decision be made. Until then, those lobbying for Anim, Orashi, Adada and other states will simply have to wait.
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