By Olatunbosun Obafemi
Senator Shehu Buba Umar of Bauchi South has firmly dismissed viral reports claiming that the Senate has approved the creation of 12 new states in Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists in Bauchi over the weekend, Buba described the claims as “false and baseless,” stating that no such decision has been made by the National Assembly.
He clarified that what the Senate has undertaken is a series of public hearings across the country to gather citizens’ input as part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution. Among the suggestions received were proposals for new states and local government areas. However, Buba emphasized that the committees in charge have yet to submit any final reports to the Senate, and no discussions or approvals have taken place.
Buba urged Nigerians to disregard the misinformation, noting that over 46 state creation requests were submitted before the hearings began—including a proposal to carve Katagum State out of Bauchi. The exclusion of Katagum from the rumored list of approved states caused confusion among residents, he said.
The report falsely claimed the Senate had approved two new states in each geopolitical zone, listing names such as Ijebu, Ibadan, Anim, Adada, Toru-Ibe, Obolo, Savanna, Amana, Tiga, Gurara, Okura, and Apa. Senator Buba and his colleague Senator Abdul Ningi have both debunked the claim.
Buba also reiterated his long-standing advocacy for the creation of more local government areas in Bauchi South. He argued that large LGAs such as Toro, Alkaleri, and Bauchi are overburdened due to their size and population. Specific proposals include Lame and Jama’a in Toro, Galambi, Birshi, Zungur, and Bauchi Munsifa in Bauchi LGA, and Gwana and Yankari in Alkaleri. For Tafawa Balewa, proposals include Lere North, Lere South, and Bula LGAs.
He acknowledged the complex constitutional process required to create new states or LGAs, involving multiple arms of government. Still, he stressed the urgent need to decentralize governance, especially in the North, due to Nigeria’s growing population.
