By Omodele Adigun
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has demanded the creation of Ibadan state from Oyo state before 2027.
Appealing to President Bola Tinubu on Friday during his coronation as the 44th Olubadan, Ladoja said the people of Ibadan desire to have a new state before 2027.
Afterwards, the monarch jokingly asked all the Ibadan residents and citizens present at the event to stand up in appreciation of the president for acceding to their request for Ibadan state.
“I thank God that Ibadan is the home of Yoruba people. I usually tell people that any Yoruba person who does not have a house in Ibadan is not yet a Yoruba,” Ladoja said in the Yoruba language.
Speaking further, the monarch said “I know that the president has a house in Ibadan. When they said Ladoja will be crowned as Olubadan, everyone in Ibadan was very happy.
“But they (Ibadan people) asked me to deliver a message to the president that their desire is to have Ibadan state.
“Ibadan people, is that not the message? If that is the message, please stand up and appreciate the president. We don’t have a problem with the national assembly. The president has accepted.
“I know that if Tinubu will create a single state, it will be Ibadan state. Mr President, we are in a hurry for Ibadan state, we want it before 2027.”
On his part, Tinubu commended the people for enduring the difficulties resulting from the reforms introduced by his administration.
The president, however, did not disclose his intentions concerning the request of this monarch.
The coronation was attended by political and traditional leaders. Among the governors present were Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, and Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti.
Other dignitaries included Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power; Zacch Adedeji, chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); Ibikunle Amosun, former governor of Ogun; and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano.
Traditional rulers at the event included Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, and Abimbola Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo.
