A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abass Adigun stirred angry reactions from some of his colleagues after he claimed that Ibadan is almost the size of the entire South-East.
He made the claim while justifying the demand for the creation of Ibadan State.
Adigun is the member from Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency.
He said that one local government area in Ibadan was also larger than three LGs in Bayelsa State.
Adigun spoke during the debate for the creation of Ibadan State which passed through second reading on the floor of the lower legislative chamber on Thursday.
Adigun said: "Ibadan as it is today, the size is about 25 thousand square meters while the whole Southeast region with five states is about 33,000 square meters. In terms of population we have what it takes to be a state.
"One local government in Ibadan city is bigger than three local governments in Bayelsa State.”
His remarks drew the ire of his colleagues, who insisted that the claims be withdrawn.
Adigun is the sponsor of the bill for the creation of Ibadan State which would be carved out from the current Oyo State and some part of Ondo State.
Recently, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja urged President Bola Tinubu to fast track the creation of the state.
NATIONAL POST reports that the South-East is the only zone with five states, whereas others have either six or seven as the case may be.
They have been pushing for the creation of at least one more state, but it has not materialized.
