Constitution Review: South-West Stakeholders Demand Creation of New States, Stronger Role for Traditional Rulers

 

By Kayode Olopade 

Stakeholders from the South-West geopolitical zone have called for the creation of new states and the formal recognition of traditional rulers in the Nigerian Constitution. The demands were made during the South-West Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution, held in Lagos on Friday.

The event, which formed part of a nationwide exercise, had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Also present were 18 senators from the South-West zone, prominent traditional rulers, civil society representatives, student union leaders, and other concerned citizens.

The senators were led by Senate Leader and Zonal Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who stood in for the Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Senator Barau Jibrin.

Delivering Governor Sanwo-Olu’s message, Dr. Hamzat said the hearing was a vital opportunity for citizens of the South-West to actively participate in shaping a constitution that reflects their aspirations.

He identified key areas requiring reform through constitutional review, including the pursuit of true federalism, devolution of powers, strengthening of local governments, security, electoral and judicial reforms, and the creation of new states.

Speaking on the scope of the review, Senator Bamidele disclosed that several memoranda had been received from the region, proposing the creation of new states such as Ibadan State and New Oyo State (from the current Oyo State), Ijebu State (from Ogun State), Igbomina State (from parts of Osun and Kwara), and Coastal State (from Ondo State). He also noted proposals for boundary adjustment in the Isheri-Olofin area between Lagos and Ogun states.

According to Bamidele, the public hearing was simultaneously taking place in all six geopolitical zones, with other venues including Enugu, Kano, Jos, Ikot-Ekpene, and Maiduguri.

He emphasized that constitutional amendments have been a recurring national conversation since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999, adding that this process is vital for promoting good governance, justice, and the welfare of all Nigerians.

Leading the charge for greater constitutional recognition of traditional institutions, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, described the constitutional review as a “clarion call” to all Nigerians. He stressed that traditional rulers must be assigned clear roles in the constitution, promising that they would continue to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Echoing the Ooni's stance, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, commended the Senate for engaging traditional rulers in the process, while also urging that the institution be formally acknowledged in the amended constitution.

In his own submission, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, reminded the lawmakers that traditional rulers had made similar appeals to President Bola Tinubu two years ago. He urged the Senate Committee to advocate more deliberately on their behalf.

“The role of traditional rulers is national and must be constitutionally secured,” he said. “We are ready to continue serving our people.”

Senator Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East) also advocated for the creation of Ijebu State, noting that the Ijebu division remains the only old province yet to attain state status. He affirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to bequeathing a people-oriented constitution.

From the civil society bloc, Abiola Afolabi stressed the need for the new constitution to address lingering issues affecting gender inclusion. She called for the entrenchment of affirmative action to increase women's representation in governance.

Other senators present at the hearing included Senator Idiat Adebule, Senator Oyewunmi Olalere (Minority Leader), Senator Francis Fadahunsi, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, Senator Mukhail Abiru, Senator Sanni Eshinlokun, Senator Afolabi Salisu, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, and Senator Emmanuel Olajide.