The hallowed chambers of the House of Representatives have become the latest arena for Ibadan’s enduring quest for self-determination.
A bill, championed with fervent conviction by Abass Adigun, the representative for Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency, has successfully navigated its second reading, marking a pivotal moment in the long and arduous journey toward the creation of Ibadan State from the present Oyo State.
The passage of this proposed legislation, achieved after a spirited and at times heated debate, represents more than a procedural victory; it is the symbolic rekindling of a dream for one of Nigeria’s most historic and populous cities.
Leading the charge, Adigun framed the bill not as a mere political exercise, but as a monumental step toward rectifying a historical anomaly and achieving equitable development through true federalism.
He argued that Ibadan, with its immense population and vast landmass, has long deserved the recognition and autonomy that statehood confers, drawing compelling parallels with other former regional capitals like Enugu and Kaduna, which have long since been elevated to full state status.
“This bill represents the realisation of the long-held aspiration of the people of Ibadan,” he declared, anchoring his argument in both demography and precedent.
However, the debate took a contentious turn when he asserted that a single local government area in Ibadan was geographically larger than three in Bayelsa State—a comparative claim that immediately drew the ire of Obuku Ofurji from Bayelsa, who dismissed it as “irrelevant and disrespectful.”
Though Adigun offered an apology, he stood firmly by the factual basis of his statement, underscoring the intense regional sensitivities that such creation debates inevitably stir.
The bill’s future now rests with the House Committee on Constitutional Review, a body fortuitously chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session. This referral places the Ibadan statehood question at the very heart of the ongoing constitutional amendment process, which Kalu has announced will be completed by December 2025.
Yet, the path ahead remains dauntingly steep, a veritable legislative gauntlet outlined in Section 8(1) of the 1999 Constitution. The proposal must now secure a two-thirds majority from lawmakers representing the area in both legislative chambers, gain endorsement from the Oyo State House of Assembly and all local government councils within the affected area, and be approved in a referendum by the people.
Furthermore, it requires a simple majority endorsement from Houses of Assembly across Nigeria’s 36 states before finally achieving a two-thirds passage in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Since the return to democracy in 1999, despite dozens of passionate proposals, no new state has successfully run this formidable constitutional gauntlet, a stark reminder that while Ibadan’s dream has taken a vital step forward, its most challenging tests still lie ahead.
