The Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Constitution Review has approved the creation of an additional state for the South‑East, endorsed independent candidacy for future elections, and backed a proposal to add women‑only legislative seats, the committee said after a closed‑door retreat in Lagos on Saturday.
The retreat — held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, and jointly presided over by Senate Deputy President Senator Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu — brought together one senator and one House member from each of the 36 states. The meeting began around 4:00 p.m.
Key decisions
New South‑East state: The committee unanimously approved creating a sixth state for the South‑East (which currently comprises Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo) to bring the zone into parity with other regions. The motion was moved by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) and seconded by Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka (Ogun). If carried through the constitutional amendment process, the change must still be approved by the National Assembly and ratified by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly.
Independent candidacy: Lawmakers agreed to institutionalize independent candidacy, allowing qualified Nigerians to run for office without political party sponsorship. Implementing the reform will require amendments to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act to set out eligibility, nomination procedures and campaign‑finance rules.
Gender‑based seats: The committee backed the creation of additional elective seats reserved for women — one per state in each chamber — a move the committee says would add 37 seats in the House of Representatives and 36 in the Senate, guaranteeing dedicated female representation for states and the Federal Capital Territory. Nigeria’s current female parliamentary representation is below 5 percent.
The committee also resolved to review more than 278 pending requests for new local government areas and 55 proposals for new states; a subcommittee will handle further reviews.
Reactions and next steps
Deputy Speaker Kalu described the approvals as a milestone for equity and inclusion, while Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) called the South‑East state move “a long‑overdue act of fairness and justice.” Insiders said debates on independent candidacy were “spirited but progressive.”
The committee’s resolutions must now move through the formal constitutional amendment process — including votes in both chambers of the National Assembly and ratification by the required number of state Houses of Assembly — before becoming law.
