President Bola Tinubu has allegedly thrown his weight behind the creation of Ijebu State from Ogun State.
The president met the Awujale of Ijebuland, Sikiru Adetona at his Bourdillon residence and pledged to back the proposed state, according to sources privy to the discussion.
At the meeting, the traditional ruler highlighted how Ijebu remains the only colonial-era province yet to become a state, unlike former provinces such as Oyo and Sokoto, which have since been subdivided.
“The president didn’t allow Awujale to overflog the matter before acquiescing,” a source told Peoples Gazette.
This marked the first time Tinubu openly indicated his stance on the Ijebu State proposal.
The discussion also referenced other potential states, including Anioma from Delta, currently under legislative consideration as part of a constitutional amendment.
Presidential aides refrained from commenting publicly on the meeting, citing concerns about potential backlash from proponents of other new states who might perceive the engagement as favoritism.
The push for Ijebu State gained momentum in November 2024, when Senator Gbenga Daniel of Ogun East introduced a bill to the National Assembly advocating its creation.
The bill seeks to amend the constitution to enable the establishment of the state, reflecting decades-long aspirations of the Ijebu people.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has since advanced the bill, titled the “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2024 (Creation of Ijebu State).”
