TEC NEWS FACT-CHECK
NO, SENATE DID NOT APPROVE 12 NEW STATES — MISLEADING CLAIMS EXPOSED
TEC News | July 15, 2025 | Abuja, Nigeria.
Contrary to viral social media posts and misleading headlines circulating across digital platforms, the Nigerian Senate has not approved the creation of 12 new states.
TEC News can reliably confirm that the claim is false and does not reflect the current constitutional or legislative reality in Nigeria.
While it’s true that several lawmakers submitted proposals for the creation of up to 31 new states, the Senate is merely at the consultative and constitutional review stage. According to Senator Shehu Buba Umar (Bauchi South),
“the Senate has not approved the creation of any new state.”
The ongoing discussions are part of the broader Constitution Amendment Process, which includes public hearings and stakeholder consultations. No state creation has passed the constitutional criteria outlined in Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires rigorous legal, legislative, and public consent procedures.
TEC fact – check reveals that creating a new state in Nigeria involves several mandatory steps:
- Formal request supported by a two-thirds majority of:
- National Assembly members representing the affected areas,
- State Assembly members,
- Local government councils.
- Referendum by at least two-thirds of residents in the proposed state.
- National Assembly approval with a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
- Presidential assent, following all constitutional thresholds.
None of the current proposals meet these requirements.
The viral claim lists 12 supposed new states—including Etiti, Anioma, Tiga, Okura, and others—implying they have already been approved. This is categorically false.
A top constitutional committee insider says:
“Many of these proposals were incomplete, lacked proper documentation, and failed to gather constitutional support. They are not even up for voting, let alone approved.”
From July 4–5, 2025, the National Assembly held zonal public hearings across Nigeria to gather opinions on constitutional matters such as:
- State creation,
- Local government autonomy,
- State policing,
- Electoral reform.
These are only part of a consultative process, not legislative decisions.
TEC News urges the public to verify information before sharing, and for media outlets to avoid amplifying unverified claims. Misleading headlines cause confusion, stoke regional tensions, and distract from the real constitutional process.
“Senate approved 12 new states” is false and the reality is Proposals received, but no approval given. Constitutionally, the process is still at an early stage.
TEC News – Setting the Record Straight
For truth, clarity, and national interest is our job.
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