Senator Shehu Buba Umar, who represents Bauchi South in the National Assembly, has dismissed as false and unfounded the widespread reports claiming that the Senate has approved the creation of 12 new states in Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists over the weekend in Bauchi, Senator Buba clarified that the Senate has not made any decision regarding the creation of new states or local government areas. He explained that the Senate is currently engaged in public hearings across the country as part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution. These hearings are intended to gather citizens’ inputs on a wide range of issues, including proposals for new states and local governments.
He emphasized that no final reports from the constitutional review committees have been submitted to the Senate, and no deliberations or approvals have taken place in the chamber concerning the matter.
“The Senate has not received any report on state creation, nor has it approved any. Nigerians should disregard the false report making rounds,” Buba stated.
The senator revealed that over 46 requests for new states had been submitted before the public hearings began. One of the proposals included the creation of Katagum State from Bauchi. He noted that the exclusion of Katagum from the alleged list of 12 approved states had caused confusion and concern among constituents.
The report, which has since gone viral, falsely claimed that the Senate approved the creation of two new states in each of the six geopolitical zones:
South-West: Ijebu (from Ogun) and Ibadan (from Oyo)
South-East: Anim (from Anambra/Imo) and Adada (from Enugu)
South-South: Toru-Ibe (from Ondo/Edo/Delta) and Obolo (from Akwa Ibom)
North-East: Savanna (from Borno) and Amana (from Adamawa)
North-West: Tiga (from Kano) and Gurara (from Kaduna)
North-Central: Okura (from Kogi) and Apa (from Benue)
Senator Buba, alongside fellow Bauchi senator Abdul Ningi, both firmly denied the report, reiterating that no such decision has been reached by the National Assembly.
Beyond state creation, Buba also renewed his advocacy for the creation of additional local government areas in Bauchi South. He argued that LGAs such as Toro, Alkaleri, and Bauchi are overpopulated and too large geographically, making governance and development more difficult.
He detailed proposals submitted for new local governments, including:
Toro LGA: Proposals for Lame and Jama’a LGAs
Bauchi LGA: Proposals for Galambi, Birshi, Zungur, and Bauchi Munsifa LGAs
Alkaleri LGA: Proposals for Gwana and Yankari LGAs
Tafawa Balewa LGA: Requests for Lere North, Lere South, and Bula LGAs
He also referenced a technical report led by former Minister of Justice, Hon. Ibrahim Umar, which recommended the creation of additional federal wards in the region.
Senator Buba acknowledged the complexity of the process for creating new states and LGAs, noting that it involves not only the National Assembly but also state legislatures, the judiciary, and presidential assent.
He concluded by stressing that Nigeria’s growing population, especially in the North, makes the creation of more local government areas essential to bring governance closer to the people and improve service delivery.
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