Bill to create Ibadan state passes second reading in House of Reps

The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to create Ibadan state from the present Oyo State.

The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter 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,” was sponsored by Abass Adigun, who represents Ibadan North Federal Constituency.

The Bill scaled second reading during plenary session on Thursday presided by Benjamim Kalu, the House Deputy Speaker after majority of lawmakers voted in favour for it.

Leading the debate on the bill, Adigun argued that the creation of Ibadan State would mark a “monumental step” towards promoting equitable development, strengthening federalism, and fulfilling a long-held aspiration of the people of Ibadan.

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According to him, Ibadan’s vast size and population justify its eligibility to become a state. “Ibadan as it is today, the landmass alone is over 25,000 square kilometres, while the entire South-East region, which comprises five states, covers about 33,000 square kilometres. In terms of population, we have what it takes to be a state,” he said.

The lawmaker further argued that establishing Ibadan State would not only bring governance closer to the people but also ensure better resource management and representation within the Nigerian federation.

After his presentation, Kalu put the bill to a voice vote, and majority of lawmakers voted in favour. The Bill has now been referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative action.

The Bill is one of the 46 proposals for state creation being considered by the House Constitution Review Committee. The Committee is also reviewing 117 requests for new local government areas across the 36 states of the federation.