South-West leaders push for five new states, details emerge

As part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution, leaders from the South-West region have proposed the creation of five new states, including Ijebu-RemoNigerians have reacted differently as the leaders demanded the creation of Ijebu-Remo, Coastal, Igbomina, Ibadan, and New Oyo statesFormer governor of Ogun state, Gbenga Daniel, urged the Senate to approve the creation of Ijebu-Remo state, citing one cogent reasonLegit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Leaders from Nigeria’s South-West geopolitical zone have made a bold case for the creation of five additional states, as part of wide-ranging reforms proposed at the ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

South-West leaders push for the creation of five new states. Image of South-West governors for illustration purposes.
Photo credit: Lagos state government
Source: FacebookIjebu-Remo, Coastal, Igbomina, Ibadan, New Oyo statesThe leaders are demanding the creation of Ijebu-Remo, Coastal, Igbomina, Ibadan, New Oyo states, The Punch reported.

The demands formed the highlight of deliberations at the South-West zonal public hearing on the constitution review, held on Friday, July 4, in Lagos.

The hearing was convened by the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, chaired by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and represented by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

Former governor of Ogun state and senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, delivered a passionate appeal for the creation of Ijebu State, describing it as a redress of historic injustice.

“Ijebu land has the capacity to sustain its own state. The Remo people have also expressed support, provided the new name is ‘Ijebu Remo State,’ much like we have Akwa Ibom,” Daniel said. “It remains the only former colonial province yet to be granted statehood.”Senate to consider requests for the creation of five new states in Southwest region.
Photo credit: Nigerian Senate
Source: FacebookNigerians react to call for five new statesAs usual, Nigerians took to the comment section on X and shared their take on the development. Legit.ng compiled a few reactions below;

@Naija_PR tweeted:

“The will of the people matters. What do the people want?”@T___Banky tweeted:

“Anything that has to do with creating new states is a waste of resources.”@uwemjay

“Ijebu-Remo ✓”Coastal ✓”Ibadan X”New Oyo X”Igbomina X.”@philipvalentin2 tweeted:

“They couldn’t maintain Ekiti and Osun and they want to increase another on themselves.”@Emeriate195378

“Ijebu people need a state cuz they have really suffered under Yoruba.”@Ridwano009 tweeted:

“If they cut costal state from Lagos and some parts of Ogun state, which part would Ibo’s claim as no man’s land?”@BadaObadina tweeted:

“What happened to Warri State?”@Shizzyforbez tweeted:

“Ijebu state is needed ASAP…ijebu ode is underdeveloped.” Reps to consider creation of 46 new statesLegit.ng earlier reported that the House of Representatives announced that it was working on 46 requests for the creation of new states and 117 requests for new local government areas (LGAs) across Nigeria.

The House Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution confirmed this on Wednesday and mentioned the region with the highest requests for new states.

The chairman of the committee and Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, spoke extensively about the bills and the 1999 constitution amendment.

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Uzor Kalu mentions 6th Southeast state that should be createdBill for 6th South-East state passes second reading, name, location emergeNational Assembly told to divide Nigeria into 12 regionsBill to increase Lagos LGAs to 57 passes second reading at House of RepsReps gives update on 31 proposed statesMeanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Nigeria’s House of Representatives gave an update on requests to create new states.

Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, said no state creation requests had met the constitutional requirements.

According to the senator, the committee had extended the submission date to Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

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Proofreading by Ridwan Kolawole, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng