Bill To Create Ogoja State Passes Second Reading Before Reps

A bill aimed at establishing a new state (Ogoja State) within the South-South geopolitical zone has successfully completed its second reading in the House of Representatives.

This proposed legislation, co-sponsored by Godwin Offiono from Cross River along with three other legislators, was put to a vote during the plenary session on Thursday.

The lawmakers are pushing for an amendment to the 1999 Constitution to create Ogoja State, which would be formed from parts of Cross River.

During the voice vote conducted by Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House, the bill received adequate backing, enabling it to progress to the next phase.

Following this successful vote, the presiding officer has referred the bill to the Committee on Constitutional Review for additional examination.

The national assembly is presently engaged in the process of amending the 1999 Constitution.

In January, Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, indicated that the amendment process is expected to conclude by December 2025.

Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

The task of amending the constitution to establish a new state or modify existing boundaries is indeed a challenging endeavour.

Section 8(1) of the constitution stipulates that a new state can only be created if it is supported by “at least two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding the creation of the new state) in each of the following, namely — “(i) the Senate and the House of Representatives. (ii) the House of Assembly in respect of the area”.

“(iii) And the local government councils in respect of the area is received by the National Assembly; (b) a proposal for the creation of the State is thereafter approved in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of the people of the area where the demand for the creation of the state originated.

“(c) The result of the referendum is then approved by a simple majority of all the states of the Federation, supported by a simple majority of members of the Houses of Assembly.

“(d) The proposal is approved by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of members of each House of the National Assembly.”

It is worth noting that no state has been created since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.