Abuja, Nigeria
The Nigerian Senate has unequivocally refuted widespread social media reports asserting the approval and creation of 12 new states. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, addressing the issue on Tuesday, July 22, emphatically dismissed these claims as false, clarifying that the Senate has not made any decision regarding state creation, nor have deliberations on such matters reached a conclusive stage.
Akpabio Clarifies Rigorous Constitutional Process
Speaking on the integrity of legislative procedures, Akpabio highlighted the stringent constitutional amendment processes required for the creation of new states in Nigeria. He emphasized that such a significant undertaking involves comprehensive engagement from all state houses of assembly across the federation, in addition to approvals from both chambers of the National Assembly. This intricate process, he noted, is far from completion for any proposed new state.
Warning Against Proliferation of Fake News
The Senate President issued a strong caution against the dissemination of unverified information and fake news on social media platforms. He stressed the importance of relying on official and accurate sources for legislative updates, reiterating that no proposed state has advanced to a stage where its creation could be legitimately announced.
Akpabio's denial was further corroborated by Senator Abdul Ningi, reinforcing the unified stance of the Senate. This official clarification also aligns with previous denials from the National Assembly regarding similar unsubstantiated reports, including claims about the creation of 31 new states. The incident underscores the ongoing challenge of misinformation and the critical need for citizens to seek precise information regarding legislative developments in Nigeria.
