*HON. OJURI BACKS IJEBU STATE CREATION, SAYS REGION HAS STRONGEST CASE AMONG NEW PROPOSALS.*
As the debate over state creation gains renewed momentum, Ogun State Civil Service Commission’s Commissioner 1, Honourable Adebowale Ojuri, has thrown his weight behind the long-standing agitation for the creation of Ijebu State, describing it as the most viable and strategically positioned among all proposed new states in Nigeria.
Ojuri, A former Ogun House of Assembly WHIP, Iwas a guest on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu. On Monday reacted to reports that the Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives on the Constitution has approved the creation of six additional states out of the 55 requests currently before the National Assembly.
According to him, while the committee’s decision has rekindled regional aspirations across the country, Ijebu land stands out as a unique case, both historically and economically.
“ *The number one advantage Ijebu has over Ibadan is that we are the only remaining province that is not yet a state. In terms of proximity to Lagos and resources to sustain a new state, Ijebu has it all,” he said.*
The lawmaker explained that Ijebu land’s geographical position gives it a natural edge. Bordered by Oyo and Ondo States and enveloped by the developmental expansion radiating from Lagos, Ojuri argued that Ijebu possesses the infrastructure and economic potential necessary for statehood.
*“We are at the border with Oyo State, and on one end, we are totally enveloped by the development happening in Lagos. A small portion of us even stretches into Ondo State. We are strategically located to benefit from being a state,” he said.*
His remarks come amid renewed calls from different groups in the South-West, including those agitating for an Ibadan or Oke Ogun State out of Oyo State. But Ojuri questioned the rationale behind the Ibadan State proposal, noting that such a move could weaken Oyo’s political and economic structure.
“ *If you take Ibadan out of Oyo State, will Oyo State survive it? Taking Ibadan out will devalue the whole picture of the state. But if you take Ijebu out of Ogun State, it won’t have the same effect because the capital is already in Abeokuta,” he argued* .
The debate over new states is not new. Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, various groups have consistently pushed for the creation of additional states to address issues of marginalisation, administrative imbalance, and local development. However, constitutional hurdles and political compromises have kept such proposals in limbo. The latest approval by the National Assembly Committee marks one of the most significant steps toward that goal in recent years.
Ojuri further emphasised that Ijebu’s long history as a major trade hub and its position along critical transportation routes strengthen its claim.
“ *The true gateway state is Ijebu because none of the major roads linking the South to the North or East bypass Ijebu land. Every route connects through us. So while Ibadan may have the numbers, Ijebu has the advantage of commerce, geography, and growth potential,” he stated.*
He added that the groundwork for Ijebu State creation had been laid years ago, crediting the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, for spearheading efforts to actualise the dream.
“ *The late Awujale worked tirelessly on this project. What is left now is to build the political will, especially among non–South-West leaders, to support the creation of Ijebu State,” Ojuri said.*
He noted that the late monarch had mobilised local and national stakeholders to articulate the viability of the proposed state before his passing, leaving behind a detailed roadmap for actualisation.
“ *Unfortunately, Kabiyesi left a little early to see the fruit of his work. The groundwork was already done. What remains is to drum up the political will for others across the federation to align with our agitation,” Ojuri concluded*
As the National Assembly continues to deliberate on the proposal, Ojuri’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among Ijebu indigenes who believe the creation of Ijebu State would not only honour their historical identity but also position the region as a key economic contributor to Nigeria’s federal structure.
If actualised, the new state would be carved out of Ogun State, potentially marking a new chapter in the nation’s administrative evolution and fulfilling a decades-long aspiration that many say is long overdue.