by Isi Esene

The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu has revealed that the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution have been inundated with 56 requests for states creation.

He said the committee has so far received 56 requests and 108 memoranda for states creation.

The clamour for the creation of more states have been a constant feature in the nations with leaders of thought in different geo-political zones making a case to justify their demands.

Ekweremadu, who doubles as the chairman of the committee said: “The committee has articulated other critical national issues based on unfolding realities and has come up with issues requiring urgent considerations in the amendment process,” he said.

“Some of the areas for such considerations are devolution of powers, creation of more states, recognition of the six geo-political zones, the role for traditional rulers, local government creation and the place of local government in the federal arrangement.”

The senator mentioned many other areas being looked into by the review committee which includes boundary adjustment to remove ambiguities, executive issues as it concerns tenure and system of government, rotation of executive offices, residency and indigene provisions among others.

Ekweremadu also identified fiscal federalism, immunity clause, Nigeria Police, Land Use Act, NYSC act, and the Code of Conduct Act as among other issues that need reviewed.

The creation of states have always been a touchy national affair with economic experts noting that with the exception of very few states, most of the existing states in the country are not economically viable which necessitates their reliance on federal allocation for survival.