The Olubadan-designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has declared that the creation of Ibadan State was long overdue, stating that he would be a fulfilled monarch if Ibadan state being agitated for was actualised during his reign
Oba Ladoja made this known while receiving visitors at his Bodija residence, stating that the creation of Ibadan State as being agitated for would make him a fulfilled man.
“Aside from achieving other things in life, what is left for me is the actualisation of Ibadan State. I want this to happen during my reign as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“The creation of Ibadan state is longer overdue. Ibadan, with eleven local government areas, is big enough for a state.
“Relevant stakeholders and interest groups are working towards its actualisation,” Ladoja said.
This came about two months after a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ibadan North East/South East federal constituency, Rep. Abass Adigun, had proposed a bill seeking the creation of Ibadan State out of the present Oyo State.
The Bill entitled: “An Act to Amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) to provide for the creation of Ibadan State with Ibadan as the proposed Capital City and for Related Matters, 2025.”
The proposed Bill also seeks to create 32 local government areas including Ibadan North LGA, Ibadan North East LGA, Ibadan North West LGA, Ibadan South East LGA, Ibadan South West LGA, Ibarapa Central LGA, Ibarapa East LGA, Ibarapa North LGA, Ido LGA, Akinyele LGA, Lagelu LGA, Egbeda LGA, Oluyole LGA, Ona-Ara LGA, Ibarapa North-West LGA, Akorede LGA, Ajorosun LGA.
Others are Inukan LGA, Omi-Apata LGA, Oke-Badan LGA, Ibadan West LGA, Ibadan South LGA, Ibadan East LGA, Lagelu West, LGA, Lagelu North LGA, Aare Latosa LGA, Irepodun LGA, Akinyele South LGA, Akinyele East LGA, Ayelogun LGA, Apete LGA and Ibarapa North East LGA.
Since the introduction of the Bill by the lawmaker, the campaign had gained significant momentum, with stakeholders in the state coming together to support the initiative, one of which reflected at the South West zonal public hearing on the 1999 Constitution Review, which held at Water Cress Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos in July.
Among the stakeholders were representatives of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), traditional rulers, compound heads (Mogajis) and other critical interests from Ibadan, Oyo State, who declared their backing for the creation of Ibadan State.
Speaking at the zonal public hearing, Adigun had declared pointedly that the new state, if created, has enough human and capital resources to stand and compete with other thriving states in the country.
The two-term lawmaker, who is also the chairman, House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, believes that the creation of Ibadan State would promote national development, justice, and federal balance.
According to him, the creation of Ibadan State, apart from having a significant impact on the socio-economic and political landscape of the region, would also enable the city to have more control over its affairs, make decisions that benefit its people, and unlock its economic potentials.
