Tinubu reportedly backs creation of new state in s/west after meeting traditional ruler

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly assured the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, of his commitment to supporting the creation of Ijebu State from the current Ogun State.

According to Plateau News, despite concerns over Nigeria’s economic challenges, the president met with the traditional ruler on January 5 at his residence in Bourdillon, Lagos, and pledged his backing for the proposed state.

Sources familiar with the meeting revealed that Oba Adetona emphasized the historical significance of Ijebu, pointing out that it is the only colonial-era province yet to be granted state status. Provinces like Oyo and Sokoto, he noted, have already been subdivided into multiple states.

“The president didn’t require much convincing before giving his support,” a source told Peoples Gazette.

This meeting marks the first time President Tinubu has openly expressed his position on the Ijebu State proposal. The discussion also included references to other state creation efforts, such as the Anioma proposal in Delta State, which is currently undergoing legislative review as part of constitutional amendments.

While the presidency has refrained from publicly commenting on the matter, likely to avoid backlash from proponents of other new states, the meeting has reignited interest in the decades-long push for Ijebu State.

The call for the creation of Ijebu State gained renewed momentum in November 2024, following Senator Gbenga Daniel’s introduction of a bill in the National Assembly advocating for the state’s establishment.

The bill seeks to amend Nigeria’s constitution to pave the way for the new state, reflecting long-held aspirations among the Ijebu people. Senate President Godswill Akpabio has since moved the bill forward under the title “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2024 (Creation of Ijebu State).”

The proposal is part of a broader initiative to increase Nigeria’s number of states from 36 to potentially 56. However, critics have questioned the timing, citing the country’s economic difficulties, including rising inflation, mounting debt, and ongoing security concerns.

Some skeptics have even suggested that President Tinubu’s support for state creation may be politically motivated, aiming to strengthen his support base ahead of a possible re-election bid.

During the meeting, Oba Adetona dismissed such criticisms, arguing that Ijebu State has the potential to sustain itself through internally generated revenue and federal allocations, ensuring its viability as a separate entity.