Senate Says No New States Approved Disowns List On Social Media

The Nigerian Senate has denied approving the creation of twelve new states, saying the list circulating online is fake.

The clarification came during Tuesday’s plenary following growing speculation on social media about newly proposed states.

The controversy began after a list emerged online claiming the National Assembly had endorsed new states from various regions across the country. The report quickly spread, prompting confusion among Nigerians and sparking widespread reactions, particularly on social platforms.

The Senate responded through Senator Abdul Ningi, who raised the issue during the session. He made it clear that no such decision had been made and that the committee in charge of constitutional amendments was still expecting reports from public hearings held in different zones. No meeting had been held yet to consider proposals for state creation.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, supported the clarification and warned that misinformation online was causing unnecessary tension. He expressed concern about fake documents being circulated, including forged letters and images of fictitious meetings about new states. He urged Nigerians not to believe everything they see online, especially from unverified sources.

The Senate explained that creating new states in Nigeria is a long legal process. It starts with proposals from the grassroots and must pass through various stages, including the approval of two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly, before even reaching the National Assembly. According to the lawmakers, this process has not started anywhere in the country.

In the fake report making the rounds, the states listed included Ijebu from Ogun, Ibadan from Oyo, Anim from Anambra and Imo, Adada from Enugu, Toru-Ibe from Ondo, Edo and Delta, Obolo from Akwa Ibom, Savanna from Borno, Amana from Adamawa, Tiga from Kano, Gurara from Kaduna, Okura from Kogi, and Apa from Benue.

The Senate said none of these states had been approved, and no discussions or decisions had taken place on the matter. Lawmakers insisted that Nigerians should disregard the claims and avoid being misled by social media content not backed by official announcements.

As of now, the Senate has not received or debated any official report on state creation, and no new states have been approved by the 10th National Assembly.