"Momentum Builds for Ibadan State as Bill Advances to Second Reading"

Table of Contents

1. Step Toward a New State
2. Proposed Legislation
3. Leading the Debate
4. Historical Significance
5. Population and Capacity
6. Objection
7. Apology and Appeal

The House of Representatives has made significant progress toward establishing a new state in the South-West, as a bill proposing the creation of Ibadan State from the current Oyo State successfully passed its second reading on Thursday.

The proposed legislation, introduced by Abass Adigun, who represents the Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency, seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to officially recognize Ibadan as a state.

While leading the discussion in the House, Adigun asserted that the bill signifies a “monumental step toward equitable development through genuine federalism and the realization of the long-held aspirations of the people of Ibadan.”

He emphasized that despite Ibadan’s historical importance as the former capital of the old Western Region, alongside cities like Enugu and Kaduna that have since attained statehood, it still lacks such recognition.

The lawmaker stated that Ibadan has the necessary population size, economic capacity, and landmass to qualify for statehood. He also mentioned that a single local government in Ibadan is larger than the combined area of three local governments in Bayelsa State.

However, his remarks were met with immediate objection from Obuku Ofurji, who represents the Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, labeling the comparison as “irrelevant and disrespectful.”

Adigun later expressed regret for his comment but maintained that his argument was based on verifiable data, urging his colleagues to support the bill in the interest of fairness and balanced national development.