The House of Representatives has approved a bill for a second reading that seeks to divide Oyo State into two separate entities.
Sponsored by Akeem Adeyemi (APC, Oyo) and six other lawmakers, the constitutional amendment aims to establish a new Oyo State, with Oyo town designated as its capital. The bill also suggests renaming the remaining portion of Oyo State as Ibadan State, with Ibadan City as its capital.
The bill was not subjected to debate, as Speaker Abbas Tajudeen stated it was straightforward legislation. He subsequently referred it to the Committee on Constitutional Review for additional legislative consideration.
Oyo State was formed on February 3, 1976, following the division of the former Western State during General Murtala Mohammed’s military regime. Various attempts have been made to create new states from the current Oyo State, but previous proposals, including those for Oke-Ogun and Ibadan states, have not succeeded.
As part of the ongoing constitutional review, there is also a bill proposed by Oluwole Oke (PDP, Osun) to establish Oke-Ogun State.
