If a proposal before the House of Representatives is approved, the country’s South West region could gain three new states.
Oluwole Oke, the lawmaker who represents the Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in Osun State, is the proposal’s sponsor.
The proposed legislation seeks to form three distinct states: Oke-Ogun, Ijebu, and Ife-Ijesa.
The name of the bill is “A Bill for an Act to modify the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as revised)” .
The proposal seeks to make modifications to the Constitution’s First Schedule, Part I.
According to the proposed bill, Oke-Ogun State, with Iseyin as its capital city, would consist of a total of 12 local government areas, including Olorunsogo, Irepo, Oorerelope, Ogbomosho North, Ogbomosho South, Saki-East, Saki-West, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, and Iseyin.
Ijebu State, when formed, will consist of Ijebu East, Ijebu North-East, Ijebu Ode, Ikenne, Odogbolu, Ogun Waterside, Remo North and Sagamu LGAs. The proposed capital city for Ijebu State is Ijebu Ode.
Ife Ijesa State is to be made of 11 LGAs made up of Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West, Boluwaduro, Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North, Ife South, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Oboku and Oriade.
In a letter directed to the Clerk of the House, dated February 6, 2024, Oke said:
“I wish to forward the above mentioned bill to your office for further necessary legislative action to enable me move same in our great Green Chamber, sir.”
The South-West region in Nigeria comprises six states, namely Ondo, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, and Ekiti.