Senator Gbenga Daniel Pushes for Creation of Ijebu-Remo State

Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East and former Governor of Ogun State, has revealed that natives of Ogun State have reached a consensus on the creation of a new state to be carved out of the old Ijebu province and named Ijebu-Remo State.

Speaking at a public hearing on the Constitution Alterations Bills at the National Assembly on Friday, Gbenga Daniel disclosed that the new name was agreed upon at a meeting of the Remo Traditional Council on Thursday, attended by nearly all traditional rulers in Remoland.

Daniel, who sponsored the bill for the establishment of the state in November 2024, said the consensus was necessary to ensure that both Remo and Ijebu identities are reflected in the proposed state’s name.

“Our people in Remo, at a meeting of the Traditional Council held yesterday — which was attended by almost all the Obas of Remoland — have expressed their desire to go with their kins in Ijebuland, once their name and identity are reflected in the name of the proposed new state: Ijebu-Remo State, just like it was done for Akwa Ibom State,” he said.

He described the push for the new state as a historic opportunity to correct what he called a long-standing “mistake, unfair treatment, and injustice” towards the Ijebu people, noting that Ijebu remains the only province yet to be granted statehood in Nigeria’s history.

“We are not here to demand a state just because we deserve it through history,” Daniel added. “We are here to present our case in line with the requirements of the law. Our proposed state will be a child born with a silver spoon.”

He argued that the old Ijebu province is home to Nigeria’s fastest-growing industrial hub and contributes significantly to Ogun State’s internally generated revenue.

He highlighted the region’s immense economic potential, including an international agro-cargo airport, the deep-sea port project at Olokola Free Trade Zone, and untapped deposits of bitumen, crude oil, and limestone.

Daniel also pointed to the cultural significance of the Ojude Oba festival as a testament to the region’s unity and heritage.

“I am confident that if given an opportunity to manage our own affairs, this homogeneous region with common cultural, language, and social heritage will be a great addition to the collective prosperity of Nigeria,” he said.

He urged his colleagues in the National Assembly to support the constitutional amendments needed for the creation of the new state and called on President Bola Tinubu to give his assent when the time comes.

If successful, Ijebu-Remo State would be one of the few new states created since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, marking a significant expansion of the country’s federal structure.