In a move that has set tongues wagging across the nation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has thrown his weight behind the controversial push for the creation of Ibadan State, calling it “an incoming state,the only state in Nigeria that is needed to be created by popular demand.” The statement, made during a headline-grabbing visit to the private residence of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has sent shockwaves through political and traditional circles.

The high-profile visit, attended by a parade of senior senators including Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdulahi, and Sharafadeen Ali, was nothing short of a political spectacle. The presence of these heavyweights is being interpreted as a clear sign that the Senate is taking the Ibadan State agitation seriously,at least for now.

Akpabio, never one to shy away from the spotlight, assured the Olubadan and the people of Ibadan that the Senate would “give due consideration” to the proposal. He repeated his claim that Ibadan is the only state in Nigeria with such overwhelming popular demand for creation, echoing the talking points of local activists and politicians who have long pushed for this cause.

The campaign for Ibadan State is hardly new, but Akpabio’s visit has given it a fresh jolt. The Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has been relentless in his lobbying, even appealing directly to President Bola Tinubu to make Ibadan State a reality. During his installation as the 44th Olubadan, Ladoja made a public plea for the federal government to act before the current administration’s term runs out.

But Akpabio’s visit wasn’t just about state creation. It doubled as a photo-op to celebrate Ladoja’s ascension to the throne, with the Senate President gushing over the new Olubadan’s credentials as a politician, entrepreneur, and administrator. Akpabio went so far as to call Ladoja a “blessing” to the entire South-West, promising that his reign would bring “significant progress” to Ibadan and beyond.

“Ladoja, as a nationalist, will bring new innovation to the traditional institution in the South-West region. His reign will witness significant progress. Ibadan people will benefit greatly during his reign,” Akpabio declared, in a statement that seemed tailor-made for the cameras. He also highlighted Ladoja’s past as a senator and governor, suggesting that his experience would be a game-changer for the city.

Oba Ladoja, for his part, played to the crowd, thanking Akpabio and his entourage for their support and doubling down on his demand for Ibadan State. “My people want Ibadan State, and I urge you to use your office to ensure its actualisation,” the monarch said, making it clear that he expects action, not just promises.

Not stopping there, Ladoja used the occasion to call for sweeping constitutional reforms to protect traditional rulers from what he described as arbitrary removal by state governors,a hot-button issue that has sparked controversy in several states.

The renewed push for Ibadan State comes as debates over state creation and restructuring heat up nationwide. Supporters claim that a new state would solve problems of representation and resource allocation, but critics say it’s just another political distraction.