Senate President Godswill Akpabio has raised the hope on the possibility of the creation of Ibadan State as being agitated for by the people of the land.

Akpabio enlivened the hope of the agitators during a courtesy call on the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja at his private residence, Bodija, Ibadan, on Sunday.

Akpabio who was accompanied on the visit by Senator Adamu Aliero, Senator Yahaya Abdulahi, Senator Sarafadeen Ali and other high-ranking senators, assured that the issue of the state creation would be looked into on the floor of the Senate.

He said, “Ibadan is an incoming state. The only state in Nigeria that is needed to be created by popular demands.”

On the installation of Oba Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Senate President described him as not only a blessing to Ibadanland but the entire Southwest as a whole.

He submitted that the people of Ibadan have made a rightful decision in their choice of Ladoja as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, noting his wealth of experience as a politician, entrepreneur and seasoned administrator.

According to him, “Ladoja as a nationalist will bring new innovation to the traditional institution in the Southwest region.

“His reign will witness a lot of progress. Ibadan people 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 brought to bear in his new assignment as a monarch.”

In his response, Oba Ladoja thanked the Senate President and his entourage for the visit and restated his call for the creation of Ibadan State.

My subjects have given me the mandate to represent their interests on all issues including the creation of Ibadan State.

“I placed the request of my people before President Bola Tinubu during my installation ceremony.

“I am repeating the same thing today. My people want Ibadan State and I want you to use your office to ensure its actualization.

“Another request that I want to place before you is the constitutional recognition of the traditional institution.

“If there is need for the amendment of the constitution. Let it be done so that all this idea of removing the traditional ruler by the governor will stop forthwith,” he said. (Nigerian Tribune)