Akapabio To Ladoja: Ibadan “Is An Incoming” State

Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio has assured that Ibadan State is on the list of the states to be created soon by the National Assembly.
The Nigerian Senate President gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy call on the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja on Sunday.
He was accompanied on the visit by Senators Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdulahi, and Sarafadeen Ali.
Oba Ladoja had informed Akpabio that Ibadan state is uppermost in his heart as the traditional ruler of the ancient city, saying it’s due for creation after many years of agitation by his people.
“My subjects have given me the mandate to represent their interests on all issues including the creation of Ibadan State,” Ladoja said .
“I placed the request of my people before President Bola Tinubu during my installation ceremony.
“I am repeating the same thing today. My people wants Ibadan state and I want you to use your office to ensure its actualization.”

Reacting, Akpabio assured the traditional ruler that Ibadan state “is an incoming” state based on “popular demand” describing Oba Ladoja as a blessing to the state and south west as a whole, saying his tenure will bring development to the state.

Oba Ladoja, had during his inauguration in September, as the traditional ruler of the city, made the same request to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was among the dignitaries who attended the occasion. He had pleaded with the president to ensure that the state is created before 2027.
Ladoja: “I thank God that Ibadan is the home of Yoruba people. I usually tell people that any Yoruba person who does not have a house in Ibadan is not yet a Yoruba.
“I know that the president has a house in Ibadan. When they said Ladoja will be crowned as Olubadan, everyone in Ibadan was very happy.
“But they (Ibadan people) asked me to deliver a message to the president that their desire is to have Ibadan state.
“Ibadan people, is that not the message? If that is the message, please stand up and appreciate the president. We don’t have a problem with the national assembly. The president has accepted.
“I know that if Tinubu will create a single state, it will be Ibadan state. Mr President, we are in a hurry for Ibadan state, we want it before 2027.”
Apart from Ibadan state, there are other groups in the country agitating for new states to be created from the current 36 states in the country. It’s however uncertain if new states will be created before the end of this current government in 2027, according to key political analysts who are following developments in the country.