By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Senate has stated that the National Assembly will consider all necessary and important factors before recommending and approving any requests for state creation across the country.
The Red Chamber emphasized that, although some Nigerians are clamouring for the creation of more states, the matter will be handled with utmost integrity, free from bias or personal interests.
Senate Spokesman and Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, disclosed this at the weekend while speaking with Nigerian Tribune at his country home in Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti State. He revealed that no fewer than 61 requests for state creation have so far been received.
The senator, who represents Ekiti South Senatorial District, maintained that due process would be strictly followed before any proposals are put forward.
“So far, the Senate has received about 61 requests for state creation. During our interactions with constituents from the six geopolitical zones, these demands were formally submitted. As we have stated, all of them will be reviewed and examined.
“We will collate them, after which the Constitutional Review Committee, headed by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, will aggregate, assess, and filter them before preparing a report for the Senate.
“Once that report is ready, the Senate, in conjunction with the House of Representatives, will hold a comprehensive public hearing. This will allow all stakeholders — both those in support and those opposed — to present their arguments. Afterward, the two chambers will jointly decide which requests are genuine.
“State creation is a serious matter that requires auditing demographic, geographic, and historical data. In some cases, even within the requesting states, there is no full consensus. All these factors must be considered. Until then, the National Assembly — not just the Senate — cannot recommend any state for creation.
“As it stands, no state has been recommended or suggested for creation. We cannot be certain of the final reports or aggregated public views until the public hearings are concluded when we resume,” he said.
He stressed that lawmakers would prioritize the overriding national interest above primordial sentiments when deciding on a review or a new constitution.
“The National Assembly is in place to make laws and to oversee constitution-making or amendments. We urge our compatriots to take advantage of the opportunities that will be open to everyone.
“We welcome input from all Nigerians — elders, professionals, political leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups, women’s groups, CSOs, and even Nigerians in the diaspora.
“Public hearings will be open to all, and the final document — whether a completely new constitution or an amended one — will reflect the collective input of Nigerians, not the opinion of a single group.
“Our goal is to ensure that whatever constitutional changes are made will be in the best interest of Nigeria and its people,” Adaramodu stated.