Ibraheem Aremu
The House of Representatives member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East federal constituency, Rep. Abass Adigun has taken a major step toward the creation of a new state in the South-West, as a bill seeking to establish Ibadan State from the present Oyo State passed its second reading.
This followed the consideration of the bill to alter the Constitution to provide for the creation of Ibadan State with Ibadan as the proposed capital city at the plenary on Thursday.
The last state creation exercise took place in 1996, when the then-military regime of Sani Abacha established six new states, bringing the total number to 36.
Since the transition to democracy, several attempts to alter state boundaries or create new ones have failed to gain traction, mainly due to the rigorous constitutional amendment process.
Leading the debate of the bill during Thursday’s plenary, its sponsor, Hon. Abass Adigun (PDP, Oyo), argued that Ibadan, being the largest city in West Africa and a historic capital of the defunct Western Region, deserves statehood for reasons of equity, development, and administrative efficiency.
He noted that cities like Enugu and Kaduna, both former regional capitals, have since been recognised as states, while Ibadan has not, despite its population size, landmass, and economic importance.
He said the creation of Ibadan State “represents a monumental step toward equitable development through true federalism and the realisation of a long-held aspiration of the people of Ibadan,” he said.
The lawmaker emphasised that Ibadan has the human and infrastructural capacity to function as a state, arguing that “one local government in Ibadan is bigger than three local governments in Bayelsa State.”
His remark, however, drew immediate criticism from Obuku Ofurji (PDP, Bayelsa), who described the comparison as “irrelevant and disrespectful” to his state.
The Chairman House committee on Narcotics Drugs, apologised but maintained that his point was based on verifiable data, not intended to disparage any region.
The bill is one of several proposals before the National Assembly seeking to create new states across Nigeria.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over Thursday’s plenary, referred the bill to the Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative action.
The renewed agitation for Ibadan State comes amid growing regional calls for decentralisation and resource-driven development.
Last month, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve the creation of Ibadan State before 2027.
The traditional ruler made the appeal during his coronation as the 44th Olubadan, describing it as “a dream deferred for far too long.”