The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has advised proponents of the proposed New Oyo State to prioritise internal consensus-building in order to strengthen their agitation for state creation.
The monarch gave the advice while receiving members of the Committee on the Creation of Ibadan and New Oyo State, led by Francis Adedayo and Saheed Malik, during a visit to his palace at Oke-Aremo, Ibadan, on Thursday.
Oba Ladoja recalled his public appeal to President Bola Tinubu on September 26, 2025, where he urged the Federal Government to approve the creation of Ibadan State before 2027. The appeal followed his installation and the presentation of the Staff and Instrument of Office by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
He emphasised that the agitation for Ibadan State remains a collective priority of the people, but warned that the proposal for New Oyo State faces internal challenges that must be addressed to avoid setbacks.
According to a statement issued by his media aide, Adeola Oloko, the Olubadan noted that differing interests regarding the name and proposed capital of the new state could complicate the process.
“There are many interests already emerging. Iseyin wants to be a state capital. Agunrege is interested. Oyo is interested. Ogbomoso is silent. All these towns, including virgin lands, qualify to be state capitals.
“If truth be told, you need to build consensus. You need compromise. Oke-Ogun has 10 local governments, Ogbomoso has four. How much representation of Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso do we have here? You cannot wish them away,” he said.
Also speaking at the meeting, Ojelabi Morakinyo from Ibarapa reaffirmed the longstanding relationship between Ibarapa and Ibadan, noting that there are no disagreements between both areas regarding the push for Ibadan State.
The meeting was attended by key traditional and community leaders, including the Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, and the President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Sulaiman Ajewole.
Post comments (0)