Creation of additional five new states, constitutional roles for the traditional rulers as well as creation of additional local governments and listing of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) created by the Lagos State government in 2003 into the constitution were among the top demands of the people of the South-West as moves are ongoing to amend the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
This came to the fore on Friday at the South-West Zonal Public Hearing on the Bills to further amend the 1999 Constitution held in Lagos
The Deputy Senate President and Chairman Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution, Barau Jibrin, represented by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate leader said: “The request of the people of the South-West before us include: Bill for creation of Ijebu State from Ogun State; Bill for creation of Coastal State from Ondo, as well as Igbomina State from the three states of: Osun, Ekiti and Kwara; Bill for creation of Ibadan State from Oyo State, as well as New Oyo State, also from Oyo State with state capital in Oyo.
“Others are: Bill for listing of created LCDAs into the Constitution, so as to be recognized as local government; Bill for the excision of Orile Oko from Remo-North local government area into Obafemi-Owode LGA of Ogun State; Bill for boundary adjustment of Isheri Olofin Mole between Lagos and Ogun State, as well as Bill to change Irewole LGA in Osun State to Ikire”.
Barawu said that other demands that the 10th Senate is equally passionate about are constitutional roles for the traditional rulers as well as reserved seats for the women at both national and State Assemblies.
He added that in as much as the 10th National Assembly has always in the past wanted roles for the traditional rulers to be included in the Constitution, the amendment had always failed because of the refusal of the 2/3 of the States’ House of Assembly of the federation to support the passage of this Bill as ordered by the constitution.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi said that the demand of the traditional rulers to be given constitutional roles is not because they want to be rubbing shoulders with the government, but to rather complement government’s efforts and be on the same page in providing qualitative leadership for the people.
Oba Ogunwusi, supported by other first-class traditional rulers demanded that the ongoing constitutional amendment must put to rest the need for traditional institution to be given constitutional roles to enhance good governance in the country.
Speaking at the event, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat lauded the gathering, saying it is providing the people of the South-West the opportunity to have a fair say in the on-going constitutional review.
There were also presentation for the creation of New Oyo State from Oyo State; Ibadan from Oyo State; Coastal State from Ondo State; Igbomina State from Osun, Ekiti and Kwara States, as well as reserved seats for the women at both national and States Assemblies.
