The Senate Committee on Constitutional Review has recommended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conduct a referendum for the creation of 20 new states. The committee’s decision was reached after considering various factors including the ability of civilian administration to create states.

Senate proposes creation for 20 new states.

This is to happen despite the fact that less than five of the current 36 states of the federation are economically and independent in their viability. All these seem not to faze the committee as they are determined to respect what it termed “the genuine desire of Nigerians.”

Some of the requests are ITAI State (from Akwa Ibom State); State status for the FCT; Katagum State from Bauchi State; Okura State from Kogi East; Adada State from Enugu State; Gurara State from Kaduna South; and Ijebu State from Ogun State

Others are Ibadan State from Oyo State; Tiga State from Kano State; Ghari State from Kano State; Amana State from Adamawa; Gongola State from Adamawa; Mambilla State from Taraba State; Savannah State from Borno State; and Okun state from Kogi State.

Those on the list include Etiti State from the South East Zone; Orashi State from Imo and Anambra states; Njaba from the present Imo State or the excision of Aba State from Abia State; Anioma State from Delta State; Torogbene and Oil River States, from Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states; and Bayajida State from parts of Katsina, Jigawa and Zamfara states.