Olusegun Adeyemo
The House of Representatives on Thursday took a major step toward the possible creation of a new state in the South-West, as a bill seeking to establish Ijebu State passed its second reading.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Hon. Olufemi Ogunbanwo, who represents Ijebu Ode/Ijebu North-East/Odogbolu Federal Constituency of Ogun State, alongside three other lawmakers, seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to carve Ijebu State out of the present Ogun State.
During Thursday’s plenary session, lawmakers debated the bill, which adds to a growing number of proposals seeking the creation of additional states across the country.
After deliberation, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, referred the bill to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative action.
If passed into law, Ijebu State would become Nigeria’s newest state, marking a significant restructuring within the South-West geopolitical zone.