The National Assembly is currently reviewing several bills proposing the creation of new states in Nigeria, as part of an ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

These proposals, submitted in 2024 by lawmakers and various interest groups, have either scaled the first or second readings and are awaiting further deliberation and possible approval.

Presently, Nigeria comprises 36 states unevenly distributed across the six geopolitical zones.

The South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-East zones each have six states, the North-West has seven, while the South-East has five.

Below is a list of proposed states and their sponsors:

1. Ogoja State – To be created from Cross River State, sponsored by Godwin Offiono.

2. Orlu State – To be carved out of Imo, Abia, and Anambra states, sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere and 15 other lawmakers.

3. Anioma State – To be carved out of Delta State, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko.

4. Coastal State – To be created from Ondo State, sponsored by Jimoh Ibrahim.

5. Adada State – To be carved out of Enugu State, sponsored by Senator Okey Ezea.

6. New Oyo State – With Oyo town as the capital; the remaining part of the state will be renamed Ibadan State with Ibadan as its capital, sponsored by Senator Akeem Adeyemi and six others.

7. Etiti State – To be created from the five South-East states, sponsored by Senator Amobi Ogah and four others.

8. Ijebu State – To be carved out of Ogun State, sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel. This particular proposal is reportedly gaining significant traction and is expected to receive presidential approval soon.

9. Ife-Ijesa State – To be created from Osun State, sponsored by Senator Oluwole Oke.

10. Oke-Ogun State – To be created from Oyo State, sponsored by Oluwole Oke.

11. Tiga State – To be carved out of Kano State, sponsored by Senator Kawu Sumaila AbdulRahman.

Additional Proposed States

– ITAI State – From Akwa Ibom State.

– State Status for the FCT – Federal Capital Territory.

– Katagum State – From Bauchi State.

– Okura State – From Kogi East.

– Gurara State – From Kaduna South.

– Ghari State – From Kano State.

– Amana State – From Adamawa State.

– Gongola State – From Adamawa State.

– Mambilla State – From Taraba State.

– Savannah State – From Borno State.

– Okun State – From Kogi State.

– Orashi State – From Imo and Anambra states.

– Njaba State – From Imo State.

– Aba State – From Abia State.

– Torogbene and Oil River States– From Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states.

– Bayajida State – From parts of Katsina, Jigawa, and Zamfara states.

These proposals, if approved, could reshape Nigeria’s political and administrative landscape, addressing calls for equity and representation across the country.

Ned Nwoko, the Senator representing Delta North senatorial district is set to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He was elected to the Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election.

Mr Nwoko exclusively confirmed his decision to Premium Times through a response to an enquiry by our reporter to him about the matter.

If he defects, the APC will have all three senators in the state in its fold as the senators representing Delta Central and Delta South senatorial districts won their seats on the platform of APC in the 2023 elections.

Mr Nwoko’s relationship with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the governor’s godfather/predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa has not been cordial of late.

This has to do with alleged marginalisation of Mr Nwoko and his constituency by the governor who prefers, instead to focus attention on the interests of his godfather, Mr Okowa.

Both former Governor Okowa and Mr Nwoko hail from Delta North.

Mr Okowa, a defeated PDP vice presidential candidate in the 2023 election is said to be eyeing the Delta North senatorial seat, currently occupied by Mr Nwoko in the coming 2027 election.

The Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, the apex decision-making body of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality in Rivers State, has announced the withdrawal of all honours, recognitions, and titles previously bestowed on Senator John Azuta-Mbata, the newly elected President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. The group also barred Senator Azuta-Mbata, who represented Rivers East Senatorial District from 1999 to 2007, from participating in activities in Ikwerre land, including community meetings and political representation. This decision extends to his hometown, Eneka Community in Apara Kingdom.

ALSO READ:  Wike is a satanic person – Sheikh Gumi The Ikwerre leadership accused Azuta-Mbata of committing “sacrilege” against Ikwerre land by accepting the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people.

In their view, his decision signifies a renunciation of his Ikwerre identity, rendering him “a total stranger” in the community. In a statement jointly signed by the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, Eze Barr. Godspower Onuekwa, and Secretary General, Barr. Nyebuchi Philips, the group expressed strong disapproval of Azuta-Mbata’s actions: “By becoming the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Azuta-Mbata has willingly and freely renounced his membership and identity as an Ikwerre person (Iwhuruohna). ALSO READ:  INEC Presents Certificate of Return To Ikwechegh of Aba North and South Fed. Constituency “His decision to contest and emerge as the leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was not the collective view, will, position, or thinking of the Eneka community, Apara Kingdom, and the Ikwerre ethnic nationality.” The statement emphasized that Azuta-Mbata’s decision was personal and lacked the consent of the Ikwerre community.

As a result, Ogbakor Ikwerre announced that all titles and honours previously awarded to Azuta-Mbata by Ikwerre organizations have been revoked.

ALSO READ:  Why There Is Fuel Scarcity – NNPCL Explains He is barred from attending gatherings, meetings, or representing Ikwerre in any capacity. The group also called on the international community, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and traditional leaders to recognize that Senator Azuta-Mbata no longer represents Ikwerre interests.

The organization warned that severe sanctions await anyone who betrays or compromises their Ikwerre identity for political gain, citing the need to uphold their customs and traditions. [CONTINUE READING HERE]>>>>