Olubadan of Ibadanland urges unity among stakeholders on New Oyo State creation, warning disagreements on capital and name may delay progress
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, on Thursday urged advocates of the proposed New Oyo State to build internal consensus to achieve their goal, warning that disagreements over the state’s name and capital could stall progress.
Oba Ladoja gave the advice while hosting members of the Committee on the Creation of Ibadan and New Oyo State, led by Francis Adedayo and Saheed Malik, at the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan.
The monarch recalled that he had previously appealed to President Bola Tinubu on September 26, 2025, to support the creation of Ibadan State and called for the proposal to be realised before 2027.
“My people sent me a message to Mr President. Mr President, they said the creation of Ibadan State is their priority,” Oba Ladoja declared.
The Olubadan noted that towns including Iseyin, Agunrege, Oyo, and Ogbomoso have expressed interest in being designated as the new state’s capital, and emphasised the need for compromise. “You need to build consensus.
You need compromise. Oke-Ogun has 10 Local Governments, Ogbomoso has four. How much representation of Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso do we have here? You cannot wish them away,” he said.
Also speaking, Ojelabi Morakinyo from Ibarapa affirmed the longstanding unity between Ibarapa and Ibadan, noting that their interests align regarding the proposed Ibadan State.
The meeting was attended by prominent traditional and community leaders, including the Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, and the President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Sulaiman Ajewole.
As Senator Ned Nwoko positions for a return to the National Assembly, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Emmanuel Eboh, has described any opposing ambition as self- serving, unnecessary and detrimental to the peace and development of Delta North Senatorial District.
Speaking in an interview in Abuja, Chief Eboh, a former civil commissioner in Delta State, said Senator Nwoko continues to enjoy widespread goodwill and the support of the people of Delta North, popularly known as Anioma.
While acknowledging that political aspirations are legitimate in a democratic setting, Eboh cautioned against what he termed the “unacceptable drift towards turning politics into a family enterprise and a tool for power control and manipulation.”
He called on residents of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency and the wider Delta North district to resist “the inordinate ambition of some Shylock politicians driven by selfish motives and unrestrained personal interests.”
The APC stalwart warned that personality-driven ambitions, rather than people-oriented leadership, could
lead to avoidable rivalry and division within Delta North.
Chief Eboh maintained that Senator Nwoko’s performance in office has been commendable and deserving of re-election, citing key interventions in rural road construction, electrification, education, potable water supply, and empowerment programmes.
He further highlighted the senator’s sustained advocacy for the recognition and identity of Anioma, noting that it was “unprecedented in the political history of the district”.
According to him, “Senator Nwoko has not only met expectations but surpassed them. He deserves re-election, particularly given the fact that the core constitutional responsibility of a senator is lawmaking for the good governance of the nation.”
Eboh said the people of Delta North regard Nwoko as a progressive leader who embodies unity and dignity across Anioma, stressing that he should not be distracted by unnecessary political contestation.
He reaffirmed that the senator’s commitment to the growth and development of Anioma remains unwavering and urged constituents to sustain their support for his return to the Senate.
The APC chieftain also called for continued backing of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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