Senate Did Not Approve Creation Of 12 New States — Senator Buba Dismisses Report As False, Baseless

By Khalid Idris Doya 

The Senator Representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Buba Umar, has debunked reports circulating on social media that the Nigerian Senate has approved the creation of 12 new states, describing the report as false and baseless.

Speaking with journalists in Bauchi on Saturday, Senator Buba clarified that the Senate has not reached any decision regarding the creation of new states or local government areas.

He explained that the Senate has constituted zonal public hearing committees on the Review of the 1999 Constitution to gather citizens' inputs, including proposals for state and local government creation. These hearings were held across the six geopolitical zones, but the committees have yet to submit their final reports to the National Assembly.

"No such report has been presented to the Senate. We have not sat to deliberate on or approve the creation of any new states or local governments,” Buba stated.

The Senator urged the public to disregard the viral report, which falsely claimed that the Senate had already approved 12 new states. 

It recalled even before the commencement of the zonal public hearings, the Senate had received over 46 proposals for state creation, including a request for the creation of Katagum State out of Bauchi. However, the omission of Katagum’s name from the list of states reportedly approved by the Senate has raised concerns and caused confusion among residents of the state.

Senator Buba emphasised that, "The story is entirely false. The reality is that the Senate conducted public hearings to collect opinions, but no decisions have been made. The report circulating on social media is not true and should be ignored."

The misleading report claimed that the Senate had approved new states across all six geopolitical zones, including South West: Ijebu (from Ogun) and Ibadan (from Oyo); South East: Anim (from Anambra and Imo) and Adada (from Enugu); South South: Toru-Ibe (from parts of Ondo, Edo, and Delta) and Obolo (from Akwa Ibom); North East: Savanna (from Borno) and Amana (from Adamawa); North West: Tiga (from Kano) and Gurara (from Kaduna) and North Central: Okura (from Kogi) and Apa (from Benue).

However, some senators, including Buba, and Abdul Ahmad Ningi, representing Bauchi Central have refuted this report, stressing that no such approvals have been made.

The Senator also mourned the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing his death as a great loss to the nation.

He offered prayers to Almighty Allah (SWT) to forgive Buhari’s shortcomings, reward his good deeds, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus. 

He extended his condolences to the people of Daura, Katsina State, and Nigerians across the country.

Senator Buba had earlier calls for the creation of additional 10 local government areas (LGAs) in Bauchi South, citing population growth and landmass as pressing factors.

"Toro, Alkaleri, and Bauchi LGAs are among the largest in Nigeria in both size and population. Toro alone is almost the size of a southern state,” he said.

Senator Buba revealed that specific demands have been submitted for new local governments across his senatorial district include in Toro LGA were they summited a proposals for the creation of Lame and Jama’a LGAs; in Bauchi LGA they requested for Galambi, Birshi, Zungur, and Bauchi Munsifa LGAs.

According to him in Alkaleri local government area a proposals for Gwana and Yankari LGAs were submitted while Tafawa Balewa local government area, requested for Lere North, Lere South, and Bula LGAs were submitted. 

He also mentioned that numerous new federal wards were proposed in the technical report, which was chaired by former Minister of Justice, Hon. Ibrahim Umar.

Senator Buba acknowledged that the path toward constitutional amendment and creation of new state and local government areas would not be without challenges. 

"In Nigeria, there are currently 36 states and 774 local governments; adding more will require a rigorous constitutional process involving the National Assembly, state legislatures, the judiciary, and the President."

Despite the challenges, he believes the effort is justified, "Our population has exceeded 250 million, and we in the North especially need more local government areas to bring governance closer to the people."