Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, a constitutional lawyer and former presidential aide, has firmly refuted recent social media reports claiming that the Nigerian Senate has approved the creation of 12 new states. In a statement titled “The Facts About State Creation in Nigeria: Rumour vs Constitutional Reality,” Obono-Obla described the viral claims as “misleading and patently false,” urging Nigerians to disregard what he called a fabrication by mischief-makers.
According to Obono-Obla, no credible media outlet has published any report to that effect, nor has any official legislative process taken place in the National Assembly. He highlighted that the rumour first surfaced on online forums such as Nairaland and fringe blogs, where it sparked excitement among state-creation advocates.
Chief Obono-Obla explained that, under Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), new states cannot be created by Senate resolution alone. The rigorous, multi-layered process requires:
- Senate Approval – At least two-thirds (73 out of 109) of senators must vote in favour.
- House of Representatives Approval – At least two-thirds (240 out of 360) of federal representatives must endorse the proposal.
- State Assemblies’ Endorsement – A minimum of 24 out of the 36 state Houses of Assembly must approve.
- Referendum – Citizens of the affected area must ratify the proposal via a referendum conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
- State Ratification – Finally, a majority (at least 20) of the 36 states must ratify the outcome.
He stressed, “The process is designed to be rigorous and inclusive to prevent narrow interests from altering the national structure arbitrarily.”
Obono-Obla pointed out that most of Nigeria’s current states were established by military decree between 1967 and 1996, with only one instance of democratic creation—the Mid-Western Region in 1964, which later evolved into Edo and Delta States. “This generation is largely unfamiliar with how democratic state creation actually works. It’s not as simple as an announcement or a Senate resolution—it is a constitutional amendment exercise,” he noted.
In closing, the former aide warned against the dangers of misinformation in Nigeria’s fragile democratic environment. He urged citizens to verify all information before sharing or reacting, and appealed to the media, civic groups, and public institutions to educate the public on the constitutional realities of state creation. “Let us stay informed, vigilant, and committed to democratic principles,” he concluded.
