…describes Ladoja as a blessing for the southwest
President of the Senate Senator Godswill Akpabio has raised hopes about the possibility of the creation of Ibadan State as something that is being agitated by the people of the country.
Akpabio raised the hopes of the agitators during a courtesy visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his private residence, Bodija, Ibadan, on Sunday.
The Senate President, who was accompanied on the visit by Senator Adamu Aliero, Senator Yahaya Abdulahi, Senator Sarafadeen Ali and other senior senators, assured that the issue of the creation of the state would be discussed on the Senate floor.
He said: “Ibadan is an incoming state. The only state in Nigeria that must be created based on popular demands.”
On the installation of Oba Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Senate President described it as not only a blessing to Ibadanland but to the entire South West as a whole.
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He maintained that the people of Ibadan had made a right decision in electing Ladoja as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, highlighting his wealth of experience as a seasoned politician, businessman and administrator.
According to him, “Ladoja, as a nationalist, will bring new innovation to the traditional institution in the southwestern region.
“His reign will witness many advancements. The people of Ibadan will benefit a lot during his reign.
“Oba Ladoja has served the country as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and governor of Oyo State. His wealth of experience will be applied in his new assignment as monarch.”
In his response, Oba Ladoja thanked the Senate President and his entourage for the visit and reiterated his call for the creation of Ibadan State.
My subjects have given me the mandate to represent their interests in all matters including the creation of Ibadan State.
“I presented the request of my people to President Bola Tinubu during my inauguration ceremony.
“I repeat the same today. My people want Ibadan State and I want them to use their office to ensure its realization.
“Another request that I want to make to you is the constitutional recognition of the traditional institution.
“If the Constitution needs to be amended, let it be done so that this whole idea of removing the traditional ruler by the governor stops immediately,” he said.