Gbenga Daniel backs Ijebu-Ode as capital of proposed Ijebu State

Gbenga Daniel backs Ijebu-Ode as capital of proposed Ijebu State

Former Ogun State governor and current Senator for Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has stated on Thursday that he has no reservations to support Ijebus’ demand for the creation of Ijebu State, with Ijebu-Ode as its capital.

This contrasts with the stance of the Remo people, who represent three of the nine local governments in Ogun East and advocate for the proposed state to be named Remo Ijebu, with Sagamu as its capital.

Daniel has, however, said that with Ijebu having six local governments, whatever comes from the axis only reflects the wishes of the majority, and that in democracy, the majority gets their way, even though the minority also has their way.

The former governor dropped this hint while answering questions from journalists during the briefing held at the GRA Ijebu-Ode private residence of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

The briefing was organised by the Implementation Committee on the creation of Ijebu State set up by the Awujale, Oba Adetona.

The briefing had in attendance, Chairman of the Implementation Committee, Chief Chris Okunowo, former Deputy Governor and erstwhile Senator representing Ogun East, Sen Adegbenga Kaka, Prof Segun Awonusi, former Vice-Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, and former chairman of ICAN, Chief Abdulateef Owoyemi.

Others were Dare Alebiosu, the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, who represented the six local governments in Ijebu land, Dr Fassy Yusuf, Chief Bambo Adesanya SAN, traditional rulers led by the Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, Oba Lawrence Adebajo, Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Oba Abdulrasaq Adenugba, among others.

Daniel said, “All the area of Ogun East Senatorial District, which includes the Ijebus and Remos, have the right for self-determination, and my job is to facilitate their demands.

“However, six out of nine is a clear majority, so there is no dilemma about what the majority wants. Minority will also have their say, it is democracy at work, so let the music play.

“We might be lucky to get two states but if not, we will always find ways to unite ourselves across all the divides for the betterment of the country.”

Speaking earlier, Okunowo said that the committee has submitted its memorandum to the National Assembly Constitution Review Committee, demanding that Ijebu State be created with Ijebu-Ode as its capital.

He stated that the renewed call for the creation of Ijebu State with Ijebu-Ode as the state capital was a result of the letters jointly agreed and signed by both the Awujale, Oba Adetona, and the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, sometime in April 2020 and April 2024.

He said that these letters were later received by the National Assembly, Abuja, and formed the bill for the creation of Ijebu State with Ijebu-Ode as capital, and that bills both at the Senate and the House of Reps have reached the second reading stage.

Okunowo, however, disclosed further that, after the December 17, 2024, stakeholders meeting in Ijebu-Ode, which had in attendance representatives of both Ijebu and Remo Divisions supporting the position of the joint memorandum submitted to the National Assembly in 2020 and 2024, respectively, the Remos’ enthusiasm for the previously accepted positions waned.

He stated further that when the National Assembly said that the Expressions of Interest submitted by new state agitators did not meet the constitutional requirements, and therefore requested for submission of fresh memoranda in line with the provision of Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the Implementation Committee on March 4, 2025 submitted its new proposal for the creation of Ijebu State with Ijebu-Ode as capital.

He revealed that all the National Assembly members (Senate and House of Representatives), House of Assembly members, Council Chairmen and Councilors from the six Local Government areas of Ljebu Division endorsed, with verifiable signatures, this document.

Answering questions from journalists during the briefing, Okunowo said, “The criteria for state creation talks about the 2/3 of people living in a particular area as well as the elected officials to make such a demand, and what stops Ijebu from requesting a state after meeting the constitutional requirements, absolutely nothing.

“That is what it is, and that is what we have done. The Remo also have the inalienable right to request a state of their own, and we are already aware that they have done so, so no problem whatsoever. We are not begrudging anyone.

“We were at the meeting held in Sagamu sometime in January when the Remo said they would go with us as far as the creation of the new state is concerned, but if they have now decided to choose a different path, why should we allow them to determine our destiny for us.

“In any case, what we have always asked for the creation of the new Ijebu State from Old Ijebu Province with Ijebu-Ode as the State Capital and that has always been the demand from time immemorial.”

NNPCL’s Olufemi Soneye clinches NIPR spokesperson of the year honour

CBEX fraud: Reps call for urgent crackdown on perpetrators

Panic as US cancels visas for Nigerian, other international students