FCT, Abuja – Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio has firmly denied viral claims that the Nigerian Senate has approved the creation of 12 new states across the country.
Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, July 22, Senator Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom North-West, clarified that the legislative process for state creation has not even reached the stage of final report preparation for deliberation.
“The Senate has not approved the creation of any new state,” Akpabio stated. “Even if that were the case, it would require a two-thirds majority from all state Houses of Assembly and the involvement of both chambers — the House of Representatives and the Senate.”
Akpabio Warns Against Fake News and Social Media Misinformation
The Senate President also expressed concern about the spread of misinformation on social media, warning that fake reports could undermine public trust and national stability.
“I hope the way Africans use social media will not break society. People even create fake letterheads announcing rejected appointments,” he said.
Akpabio emphasized that while there are indeed proposals for new states, none has progressed beyond initial discussions:
“Not one has reached the stage where we can say we have completed zonal or national deliberation, let alone transmit to state assemblies for concurrence and return to the National Assembly for final deliberations.”
He also reminded Nigerians that constitutional amendments, especially those concerning state creation, follow strict and complex processes:
“The process of amending the Nigerian constitution is very stringent. So, the public should disregard these fake reports.”
Senate Spokesperson Also Debunks Rumors of 31 New States
Earlier, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu similarly debunked claims circulating on WhatsApp that the Senate had passed a bill to create 31 new states.
Adaramodu clarified that the Senate alone does not have the authority to create states; such proposals must pass multiple stages of constitutional amendment, including approvals by state Houses of Assembly.
What Senators Actually Do
In Nigeria, Senators are primarily responsible for:
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Representing their constituents
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Making and amending laws
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Holding the executive branch accountable
They work within the National Assembly, a bicameral legislature, to ensure peace, order, and good governance of the federation.
