Bill to Create Ibadan State Passes Second Reading In House.

NASS.

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, advanced a bill aimed at establishing a new state within the southwest geopolitical zone, as it passed second reading.

The proposed legislation, introduced by Abass Adigun, who represents the Ibadan Northeast/Ibadan Southeast federal constituency, moved past the second reading stage during Thursday’s plenary session.

The bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to carve out Ibadan State from the current Oyo State.

While presenting the bill, Adigun pointed out that although cities like Enugu and Kaduna, which were former capitals in the old regional structure, have been granted state status, Ibadan has yet to receive such recognition.

He described the bill as a “monumental step toward equitable development through federalism and realisation of the long-held aspiration of the people of Ibadan”.

According to the lawmaker, Ibadan possesses both the population and land size required for statehood.

Adigun asserted that one local government in Ibadan is larger than three local governments in Bayelsa State.

However, his claim was promptly challenged by Obuku Ofurji, the representative for the Yenagoa/Opokuma federal constituency in Bayelsa, who dismissed the statement as irrelevant and offensive to his state.

Adigun issued an apology but insisted that his point was factual before proceeding with his presentation.

This proposal adds to a growing number of legislative efforts aimed at creating new states across the country.

Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker who presided over the plenary, directed the bill to the Committee on Constitutional Review.

The National Assembly is currently in the process of reviewing the 1999 Constitution.

In January, Kalu, who also chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, announced that the ongoing constitutional amendment process is expected to be completed by December 2025.

The process of amending the Constitution to establish a new state or adjust state boundaries is notably complex.

According to Section 8(1) of the Constitution, a new state can only be created if it is backed by “at least two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding the creation of the new state) in each of the following, namely — (i) the Senate and the House of Representatives. (ii) the House of Assembly in respect of the area”.

“(iii) And the local government councils in respect of the area is received by the National Assembly; (b) a proposal for the creation of the state is thereafter approved in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of the people of the area where the demand for the creation of the state originated.

“(c) The result of the referendum is then approved by a simple majority of all the states of the Federation, supported by a simple majority of members of the Houses of Assembly.

“(d) The proposal is approved by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of members of each House of the National Assembly.”

Since Nigeria transitioned to democratic governance in 1999, no new state has been created.