A bill proposing the division of Oyo State into two distinct entities has successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives during today’s plenary session.
The bill, sponsored by Akeem Adeyemi, the representative for Afijio, Oyo West, Oyo East, and Atiba federal constituencies, seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create a new state. Under the proposed plan, Oyo town will become the capital of the new Oyo State, while Ibadan will remain the capital of a newly designated Ibadan State.
Leading the debate, Akeem Adeyemi highlighted that the agitation for the creation of New Oyo State is not new.
The 2014 National Conference had recommended the formation of New Oyo State with Oyo town as its capital.
He further argued that the division is necessary given the state’s vast landmass, which makes it the largest in the South-West geopolitical zone, with 33 local governments and a population of over 5.5 million people (based on the 2006 census).
He also noted that New Oyo State would be economically and politically viable, owing to its rich agricultural land, water resources, and mineral deposits, including gold, kaolin, and limestone. Additionally, the area has strong tourism potential, further bolstering its prospects for sustainable development.
Oyo metropolis is the repository and citadel of the linguistic and cultural heritage of Yoruba land, the seat of the old Oyo Kingdom, which encompassed the original provincial setup of the colonial masters from which Ibadan Province was carved out in 1936,” he futher stated.
The bill has now been referred to the Constitutional Review Committee for further action, including a public hearing before its third reading and Senate concurrence.
