A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mohamed Ndarani, has urged the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee to include Edu State in the proposed list of 31 new states.

He argued that the creation of Eduko, otherwise, called Edu State from the present Niger State would give a sense of belonging to the Nupe people in Nigeria.

Ndarani made this statement during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, joining the public discourse on the proposal by the committee.

It was previously reported that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, read the letter from the committee containing the proposal during plenary on Thursday in Abuja.

The proposal seeks to address demands for greater representation, economic viability, and regional balance in governance.

Breakdown of Proposed States   

The letter read in part:

 “The committee proposes the creation of 31 new states. As amended, this section outlines specific requirements that must be fulfilled to initiate the process of state creation.” 

The proposed states include:   

• North Central: Okun, Okura, and Confluence (Kogi); Benue Ala and Apa (Benue); FCT State.   
• North East: Amana (Adamawa); Katagum (Bauchi); Savannah (Borno); and Muri (Taraba).   
• North West: New Kaduna and Gurara (Kaduna); Tiga and Ari (Kano); Kainji (Kebbi).   
• South East: Etiti and Orashi (as the 6th state in the South East); Adada (Enugu); Orlu (Imo); and Aba (Abia).   
• South-South: Ogoja (Cross River); Warri (Delta); Ori and Obolo (Rivers).   
• South West: Torumbe (Ondo); Ibadan (Oyo); Lagoon (Lagos); Ijebu (Ogun); Oke-Ogun/Ijesha (Oyo/Ogun/Osun).   

The proposal is expected to undergo a constitutional process before implementation.

According to the letter read by Kalu, the specific requirements for state creation include:

1. A request supported by at least two-thirds of the legislative representatives from the area seeking statehood.
2. A referendum conducted in the affected area, with at least a two-thirds majority in favor.
3. Approval by a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly.
4. Endorsement by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly.

Ndarani Reacts   

Reacting to the development,  Ndarani stated that Niger State’s geographical mass is unquestionably larger than that of the entire South East and comparable to that of the South West.

He emphasized its vast land area and abundance of solid minerals.

“The proposed Edu State is a prospective oil-producing state and would be a viable and developed state with Bida as its capital,” he said.

• Ndarani added that Edu State would comprise various groups from the present Niger, Kogi, and Kwara states.
• He urged National Assembly members of Nupe origin from Kwara, Niger, and Kogi states, as well as the FCT, to support the creation of Eduko State.

“The original request for Edu State was presented to the National Assembly in September 2022 by a delegation of Nupe elders, leaders, and representatives from Bida, Agaie, and Lapai emirates.   

 “The request clearly aligns with the provisions of Section 8, Subsections 1, 2, and 3 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), making it one of the most viable proposals,” he explained.

He argued that state creation has historically brought development closer to the people.

Nigeria has recorded a slight improvement in Transparency International’s (TI) 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), ranking 140 out of 180 countries.

This marks a five-place improvement from its position at 145 in 2023.

The country’s score also increased marginally from 25/100 in 2023 to 26/100 in 2024.

The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index released by Transparency International on Tuesday ranks countries based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, using data from various reputable sources, including the World Bank and the World Economic Forum.

A score of 100 indicates a corruption-free country, while 0 signifies a highly corrupt system. Nigeria’s historical performance on the index shows an average score of 21.48 points since 1996, with the highest score of 28 recorded in 2016.

Nigeria’s score reached an all-time high of 28.00 points in 2016 and a record low of 6.90 Points in 1996, according to Transparency International.

The Lagos State Government has announced a traffic diversion plan ahead of the 10th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2025.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The commissioner explained that the marathon would take place between 5:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., starting from the National Stadium in Surulere.

“The Lagos State Government has released a traffic diversion plan to the motoring public ahead of the 10th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Race on Saturday. 

“Osiyemi said the marathon which would take place between 5.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m, would commence at the National Stadium, Surulere,” the report read in part.

He explained that from Surulere, the race would proceed along Ikorodu Road through Anthony (Bertola), pass Gbagada, and access the Third Mainland Bridge towards Lagos Island.

It would then continue via Dolphin Road, Alfred Rewane Road, and Falomo Roundabout, before moving through Bourdillon Road, crossing the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, and connecting Admiralty Way. From there, the route extends to Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola, and concludes at Ahmadu Bello Way, Eko Atlantic.

He added that all adjoining roads, junctions, and intersections along the marathon route would be blocked with concrete barriers and monitored by LASTMA, the Nigeria Police Force, the FRSC, and other relevant agencies.

Diversion routes for motorists 

To minimize disruptions, Osiyemi announced alternative routes for motorists traveling across the city during the event.

• Mainland to Island: Motorists from Ikeja and its environs heading to Victoria Island should use Ikorodu Road/Funsho Williams Avenue to connect Eko Bridge and proceed via Outer Marina.
• Badagry, Mile 2, and surrounding areas: Travelers should pass through Apapa via Orile, then link Eko Bridge and continue through Outer Marina.
• Surulere to the Island: Motorists should access the island via Iponri/Iganmu, linking Eko Bridge to reach Outer Marina.
• Lagos-Ibadan Expressway travelers: Those coming from Mowe and nearby areas should take the Ojota Slip Road, connect Ikorodu Road, and proceed through Funsho Williams Avenue to Eko Bridge.
• Okota to Victoria Island: Motorists are advised to use Mile 2/Orile, connecting to Eko Bridge and Outer Marina.
• Sango-Otta to the Island: Drivers should pass through Mushin, link Funsho Williams Avenue (Western Avenue), and proceed to Eko Bridge via Outer Marina.
• Epe-Lekki Expressway (Epe, Ajah, Lekki, and environs): Motorists should take Marwa Junction, connect Admiralty Way, and cross the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.
• Lagos Island to the Mainland: Travelers will be diverted to Apongbon Bridge, then Eko Bridge, accessing Costain Roundabout, Iponri, and Bode Thomas. Alternatively, they can take Eko Bridge through Costain Roundabout, linking Apapa Road to Oyingbo/Jebba and then Herbert Macaulay Road.

Another route is through Victoria Island, linking Independence Bridge and CMS Bridge, then proceeding via Apongbon to Ijora-Olopa, Iddo, and Oyingbo.

• Third Mainland Bridge: The bridge will remain closed to traffic heading towards Lagos Island but will be accessible to motorists traveling to the mainland.

Osiyemi reassured residents that traffic management officials would be deployed to ease congestion and urged motorists to plan their journeys accordingly.