Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday debunked viral reports suggesting that the National Assembly has approved the creation of new states.
Addressing the Senate during plenary, Akpabio responded to concerns raised by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), clarifying that although the Constitution Review Committee had received more than 42 proposals for new states, none had progressed through the full legislative procedure.
“I have personally reviewed over 42 submissions for state creation, but none has undergone the complete legislative process. It’s important to note that establishing a new state involves a complex and thorough constitutional process, which has not been completed in any case,” Akpabio stated.
He cautioned individuals and communities against holding meetings or mobilising around proposed states that have not received legal backing, reaffirming that the Senate has not approved the creation of any new state.
Akpabio also advised the public to rely solely on verified information from the National Assembly regarding constitutional amendments and related matters, warning against misinformation circulating online.
In another development, the Senate has set aside Wednesday for a special session in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away recently.