As the National Assembly embarks on the new phase of the amendment of the 1999 Constitution, the Senate has said that its hands are tied on the creation of new states.

Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review Senator Ike Ekweremadu told journalists in Abuja yesterday that the National Assembly would not announce the creation of any state at the end of the exercise.

Ekweremadu said Nigerians should stop expecting the National Assembly or its committees on constitution review to announce the creation of new states as the constitution does not provide for such.

He said the people of South-east where he comes from should also stop expecting him to use his position to facilitate an additional state for them.

Ekweremadu said Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso was naïve for accusing him and the House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha of collaborating to foist an Igbo agenda on their colleagues.

He disclosed that his committee would between November 12 and 16 simultaneously hold public hearings in the six geo-political zones.