AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Traditional rulers, scholars, and representatives from Osun and Kwara States have renewed their call for the creation of Igbomina State, stressing that it would address longstanding marginalisation and cultural exclusion of the Igbomina people.
The demand was made on Friday during a session with the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, led by Hon. James Faleke. Speaking on behalf of the group, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, and Dr. Fatai Afolabi, Secretary of the Igbomina Committee, urged the National Assembly to grant the long-overdue request.
They were joined by representatives from 16 local government areas, across three senatorial districts, as well as other traditional leaders, including the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Raimi Adeoti.
Dr. Afolabi traced the Igbomina people’s origins to Ile-Ife, under the leadership of Ajagunla, the first Orangun of Ila. He noted that the Igbomina homeland, spanning parts of present-day Osun and Kwara States, was divided by the River Osin before the Fulani Jihad and subsequent colonial rule forced them into political alignment with the Ilorin Emirate.
“The Igbomina have been subjected to forced political structures that do not reflect their cultural identity. We seek recognition and autonomy through the creation of Igbomina State,” Afolabi said.
Meanwhile, governors from the South-West region have thrown their weight behind sweeping constitutional reforms, calling for the establishment of state police, resource control, and a restructured federal system.
Speaking at the South-West Centre B Public Hearing of the Constitution Review Committee in Akure, Ondo State, Governors Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun) advocated for true federalism.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who hosted the session, praised President Bola Tinubu for initiating key reforms and called for a decentralised policing system. He cited the success of the Amotekun Corps and argued that state police would enhance community safety through local intelligence and rapid response.
He also called for a new revenue-sharing formula that allows states to retain 50 percent of internally generated revenue and advocated an amendment to Section 44 (3) of the Constitution to move control of mineral resources to the Concurrent Legislative List.
Representing Governor Adeleke, Osun State Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, stressed the need for electoral reform, including the adoption of electronic voting and tighter controls on campaign financing. He also urged a review of the high cost of governance.
“Public office must be made less attractive to reduce the desperation that leads to electoral malpractice,” Adewusi said.
