The proposed legislation, which is sponsored by Olufemi
Ogunbanwo, lawmaker representing Ijebu Ode/Ijebu north east/Odogbolu federal
constituency of Ogun, and three other lawmakers, scaled second reading during
Thursday’s plenary.

The bill proposes to amend the 1999 constitution to create
Ijebu state from Ogun state. This bill adds to the growing list of proposed
legislation aimed at creating new states in the country.

Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker, who presided over
plenary, referred the bill to the committee on constitutional review.

LEGISLATIVE HURDLE

The national assembly is currently amending the 1999
constitution. In January, Kalu, who chairs the house committee on constitution
review, said the amendment would be completed in December 2025.

Amending the constitution to create a new state or adjust
boundaries is an arduous task.

According to section 8(1) of the constitution, the creation
of a new state requires extensive legislative and public backing.

The bill must first secure a two-thirds majority vote from
representatives of the area seeking statehood in both the senate and house of
representatives, as well as the house of assembly and LGAs within the affected
area.

After legislative approval, a referendum must be held in the
proposed area, where at least two-thirds of residents must vote in favour of
the new state.

The outcome of the referendum must then be endorsed by a
simple majority of all state houses of assembly across the federation, before
final approval by a two-thirds majority of both chambers of the national
assembly.

No state has been created since Nigeria returned to
democratic rule in 1999.