Lawmaker proposes bill seeking to create three additional states

Lawmaker Oluwole Oke, representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Osun State, has proposed a bill aimed at creating three additional states within the South-West region. Scheduled for presentation in the House of Representatives, the bill seeks the establishment of Oke-Ogun, Ijebu, and Ife-Ijesa states. Titled “A Bill for an Act to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),” it aims to amend the First Schedule, Part I of the Constitution to introduce new states and adjust the number of local government areas.

Under the proposed legislation, Oke-Ogun State, with Iseyin as its suggested capital, would consist of 12 local government areas, including Olorunsogo, Irepo, Oorerelope, Ogbomosho North, Ogbomosho South, Saki-East, Saki-West, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, and Iseyin. Meanwhile, Ijebu State would encompass Ijebu East, Ijebu North-East, Ijebu Ode, Ikenne, Odogbolu, Ogun Waterside, Remo North, and Sagamu LGAs, with Ijebu Ode proposed as its capital.

According to the bill, Ife Ijesa State would comprise 11 LGAs, including Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West, Boluwaduro, Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North, Ife South, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Oboku, and Oriade. In a letter dated February 6, 2024, addressed to the Clerk of the House, Oke forwarded the bill, expressing the need for further legislative action to enable its presentation in the House.

Currently, the South-West geopolitical zone consists of six states: Ondo, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, and Ekiti. If Oke’s bill successfully navigates legislative processes, the region would surpass the North-West, currently with seven states, becoming the zone with the highest number of states among the North-Central, North-East, South-South, and South-East regions.