The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has urged proponents of a proposed New Oyo State to first resolve internal disagreements before pushing their demand further at the national level.

He gave the charge on Thursday while receiving the Committee on the Creation of Ibadan and New Oyo States at his Oke Aremo Palace in Ibadan.

The visit came amid renewed calls from the Olubadan stool for the establishment of an Ibadan State, a demand that has recently gained stronger public attention.

Oba Ladoja noted that while the case for an Ibadan State is straightforward, the agitation for a New Oyo State faces more complex hurdles.

He pointed to long standing rivalries over what the state should be called and which town should host the capital.

He put it simply. “Iseyin is interested in becoming a state capital. Agunrege is interested. Oyo is interested. Ogbomoso is not talking. All these towns, including virgin lands, are qualified to become state capitals.”

He reminded the delegation, led by Engr Francis Adedayo and Prof Saheed Malik, that any meaningful progress must be built on agreement, not competition.

“If truth must be told, you need to build consensus. You need compromise,” he said.

The monarch also stressed the need for proper representation. Oke Ogun, he said, has ten local governments, while Ogbomoso has four, yet their voices were noticeably faint in the current push.

“How much of Oke Ogun and Ogbomoso representation do we have here? You cannot wish them away.”

His remarks echoed a growing concern among observers that without unity among the stakeholders, the New Oyo State agitation may struggle to match the coherence and momentum behind the Ibadan State campaign.

Backing the Olubadan’s position, Dr Ojelabi Morakinyo from Ibarapa added that there has never been any tension between Ibadan and Ibarapa and that both zones have shared a long, cordial history. According to him, their alignment should not be in doubt.

Thursday’s meeting drew notable figures including the Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola Daisi, and the President General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Barrister Sulaiman Ajewole.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has urged proponents of a proposed New Oyo State to first resolve internal disagreements before pushing their demand further at the national level.

He gave the charge on Thursday while receiving the Committee on the Creation of Ibadan and New Oyo States at his Oke Aremo Palace in Ibadan.

The visit came amid renewed calls from the Olubadan stool for the establishment of an Ibadan State, a demand that has recently gained stronger public attention.

Oba Ladoja noted that while the case for an Ibadan State is straightforward, the agitation for a New Oyo State faces more complex hurdles.

He pointed to long standing rivalries over what the state should be called and which town should host the capital.

He put it simply. “Iseyin is interested in becoming a state capital. Agunrege is interested. Oyo is interested. Ogbomoso is not talking. All these towns, including virgin lands, are qualified to become state capitals.”

He reminded the delegation, led by Engr Francis Adedayo and Prof Saheed Malik, that any meaningful progress must be built on agreement, not competition.

“If truth must be told, you need to build consensus. You need compromise,” he said.

The monarch also stressed the need for proper representation. Oke Ogun, he said, has ten local governments, while Ogbomoso has four, yet their voices were noticeably faint in the current push.

“How much of Oke Ogun and Ogbomoso representation do we have here? You cannot wish them away.”

His remarks echoed a growing concern among observers that without unity among the stakeholders, the New Oyo State agitation may struggle to match the coherence and momentum behind the Ibadan State campaign.

Backing the Olubadan’s position, Dr Ojelabi Morakinyo from Ibarapa added that there has never been any tension between Ibadan and Ibarapa and that both zones have shared a long, cordial history. According to him, their alignment should not be in doubt.

Thursday’s meeting drew notable figures including the Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola Daisi, and the President General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Barrister Sulaiman Ajewole.