A bill seeking to create a new state from Oyo has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
Gatekeepers News reports that the bill, sponsored by Abass Adigun, who represents the Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency, aims to amend the 1999 Constitution to officially create Ibadan State.
During Thursday’s plenary, Adigun argued that Ibadan’s historical and administrative importance make it deserving of statehood.
He pointed out that former regional capitals such as Enugu and Kaduna have since become states, while Ibadan—once the capital of the old Western Region—has not enjoyed the same recognition.
According to him, the creation of Ibadan State would promote equity, regional balance, and grassroots development in the South-West.
He further stated that Ibadan’s population and landmass make it viable to function independently, adding that one of its local governments is larger than several combined in Bayelsa State.
His comparison, however, drew a sharp rebuttal from Obuku Ofurji, the lawmaker representing Yenagoa/Opokuma in Bayelsa, who described the statement as irrelevant and disrespectful. Adigun later apologised but maintained his argument.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, referred the bill to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further deliberation.
The push for Ibadan State follows recent appeals by traditional and political leaders, including the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who urged President Bola Tinubu to support the creation before 2027.
No new state has been created in the country since the return to democratic governance in 1999.
