Senate breaks silence, denies passing bill creating 31 states

DDM News

The Nigerian Senate has officially denied claims circulating on social media that it has approved the creation of 31 new states across the country.

This clarification came following a viral WhatsApp broadcast that alleged the National Assembly had passed a bill endorsing the creation of dozens of new states in Nigeria.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the rumour, which quickly spread across social media platforms, had sparked public debates, confusion, and political speculation nationwide.

Reacting to the growing concern, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate spokesperson, refuted the claims, insisting that no such bill had been passed by the Red Chamber.

He described the information as false, misleading, and a calculated attempt to incite tension among citizens and undermine the integrity of the legislative arm of government.

According to Adaramodu, while the idea of state creation remains a constitutional right under Nigerian law, such a complex and sensitive process requires broad consultations, legal amendments, and public approval through referenda—not mere passage in a single legislative sitting.

The claims had originally stemmed from a misinterpretation of events in February 2025, when the House of Representatives confirmed it had received multiple memoranda and proposals from various interest groups seeking the creation of new states.

However, these proposals remain at the preliminary stage and have not been consolidated into a formal bill for legislative consideration, let alone passage.

The fake message listed states such as Katagum, Etiti, Aba, and others as part of the purported new creations, further fueling suspicion and excitement in various regions.

Many political observers noted that such false reports are capable of inflaming ethnic tensions, especially in a country already grappling with agitations for restructuring, resource control, and regional autonomy.

Adaramodu urged the public to disregard the false reports and rely solely on verified information from official government channels.

He emphasized that the Senate remains committed to transparency and national unity and warned mischief-makers against peddling baseless claims that could destabilize the nation.

Meanwhile, political analysts say the speed at which the rumour gained traction is indicative of Nigerians’ deep-seated dissatisfaction with the current federal structure and the clamour for greater representation and resource allocation.

They argue that while the idea of creating new states may offer political and economic solutions to marginalised communities, it must not be hijacked by opportunists seeking to manipulate public sentiment for personal or partisan gain.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with issues of governance, equity, and federalism, experts say any genuine move to alter the structure of the federation must follow due process, involve wide consultation, and reflect the collective will of the Nigerian people.

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