The House of Representatives has moved a step closer to creating a new state in the South-West, as a bill seeking to establish Ibadan State from the existing Oyo State passed its second reading on Thursday.
The proposed legislation, sponsored 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.
Leading the debate on the floor, Adigun described the bill as a “monumental step toward equitable development through true federalism and the fulfillment of the long-held aspiration of the people of Ibadan.”
He noted that despite Ibadan’s historical importance as the former capital of the old Western Region, cities such as Enugu and Kaduna, which shared similar status, have since attained statehood, while Ibadan remains without such recognition.
According to the lawmaker, Ibadan has the necessary population size, economic strength, and landmass to qualify as a state. He also stated that a single local government in Ibadan is larger than three combined local governments in Bayelsa State.
However, his remarks drew a swift objection from Obuku Ofurji, representing the Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, who described the comparison as “irrelevant and disrespectful.”
Adigun later apologized for the comment but maintained that his submission was based on verifiable facts. He urged his colleagues to support the bill in the interest of fairness, balanced representation, and national development.
