Southwest Demands Ijebu, Ibadan, New Oyo, Igbomina, Coastal States in Constitution Amendment

Calls for the creation of new states, official constitutional roles for traditional rulers, and formal recognition of additional local councils took centre stage on Friday at the South-West Zonal Public Hearing on the amendment of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, held in Lagos.

The hearing, organized as part of the ongoing constitutional review process, drew attention to several key demands from the region, including the creation of Ijebu State from Ogun; Ibadan and New Oyo States from Oyo; Coastal State from Ondo; and Igbomina State from parts of Osun, Ekiti, and Kwara States. Also requested was the formal listing of the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) created by Lagos State in 2003, which have yet to receive constitutional recognition.

Representing the Deputy Senate President and Chair of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Jibrin Barau, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele noted that the region’s requests reflect the yearnings of its people for equity, justice, and better governance structures.

In addition, residents presented bills seeking boundary adjustments and name changes, including the excision of Orile Oko from Remo North LGA in Ogun to Obafemi-Owode LGA and the renaming of Irewole LGA in Osun to Ikire.

A prominent issue raised was the push for constitutional roles for traditional rulers. Senator Bamidele reiterated that the National Assembly had previously supported this idea, but efforts stalled due to the failure of two-thirds of state assemblies to ratify the amendment. He advised monarchs to intensify lobbying efforts through the Conference of Speakers and Governors’ Forum to secure broader support.

Speaking on behalf of the region’s monarchs, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, clarified that their request is not about seeking political power, but rather about complementing government efforts in leadership, conflict resolution, and community development. He was supported by other high-ranking monarchs including the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olowo of Owo, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, and representatives of the Awujale of Ijebuland.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, also backed the constitutional listing of LCDAs. He stressed the injustice in expecting Lagos — with its large population — to operate with only 20 LGAs when other less-populated states like Kano have up to 44. He noted that local governments like Alimosho rival entire states in population and should be structurally accommodated.

Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and South-West Chairman of Speakers, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, described the constitutional review as “long overdue,” adding that lawmakers in the region are united in pushing for local government autonomy, legislature independence, and traditional institutions’ inclusion in governance.

Former Ogun governor and current senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, passionately advocated for the creation of Ijebu State, citing historical injustice and the area’s economic viability. He revealed that even the Remo people, who were previously unaligned, have now pledged support — provided their identity is reflected in the name, proposing “Ijebu-Remo State” as a compromise.