Ibadan State: Uproar In House Of Reps Over Lawmaker’s Camparisons With Bayelsa, South-East

There was mild play connected the level of the House of Representatives connected Thursday pursuing remarks by Hon. Abass Adigun, subordinate representing Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency of Oyo State, who compared the size and colonisation of fewer section authorities areas of Ibadan onshore with those of Bayelsa State and the full South-East portion during a statement connected authorities creation.

Hon. Adigun, portion making a lawsuit for the instauration of Ibadan State retired of the contiguous Oyo State, argued that the past metropolis of Ibadan is ample capable — some successful landmass and colonisation — to basal arsenic a authorities of its own.

According to him, “Ibadan arsenic it is today, the size, landmass unsocial is astir 25 1000 positive quadrate metres, portion the full South-East portion that has 5 states contiguous has astir 33 1000 quadrate metres. In presumption of population, we person what it takes to beryllium a state. One section authorities successful Ibadan city, Mr Speaker, is bigger than 3 section governments successful Bayelsa State — that’s the fact.”

The connection instantly sparked outrage among lawmakers from Bayelsa State and South-East, with respective members interrupting him mid-speech.

“This is wrong,” 1 visibly angered lawmaker shouted. “You can’t accidental that!”

Another lawmaker demanded an contiguous retraction of the statement, saying, “Let him retreat that statement!”

As the session, presided by lawman Speaker Benjamin Kalu, grew rowdy, Adigun attempted to clarify his remarks, saying, “I americium trying to close my statement.”

Rising nether Order 9 of the House Rules, Hon. Oboku Oforji, who represents Kolokuma/Opokuma/Yenagoa Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, sought to close what helium described arsenic a “misrepresentation of facts.”

“Mr Speaker, I emergence this day to rise a constituent of bid connected the issue,” Oforji said, portion being recognised by the presiding officer.

“You are protected. I cognize the order; spell ahead,” Kalu said, adjacent arsenic the enclosure remained noisy.

Oforji stated, “I americium not against the motion, but the contented that affects my beloved authorities — astir the quadrate metre — if you look astatine the geographical country successful Bayelsa State, Bayelsa is 1 of the largest successful presumption of landmass successful the federation, whether you similar it oregon not.”

In an evident excavation astatine Adigun, Oforji added, “For the young antheral here…”

His remark drew further disapproval with laughter from chap lawmakers, prompting Kalu to intervene.

“Most distinguished colleague, your extortion is not up to the grade of calling a elder parliamentarian a young man. I volition region your extortion if you do,” Kalu cautioned.

Oforji instantly retracted his comment, saying, “For the honourable member…” and went connected to apologise, which Kalu accepted.

“Mr Speaker, the contented present is precise clear. My interest is that the landmass of Bayelsa State is 1 of the biggest successful this country, arsenic I earlier said. Now, for my honourable workfellow to trim Bayelsa State arsenic of contiguous to a projected authorities is precise demeaning, and I privation this House, nether your leadership, to inquire my workfellow to retreat that connection for the involvement of this House,” Oforji submitted.

Responding, Deputy Speaker Kalu clarified that determination had been a misunderstanding, noting, “What helium is trying to accidental is that determination was a misrepresentation of facts successful the statement of our member Abbas.”

Following this, Hon. Adigun tendered an apology, bringing calm to the greenish chamber.

The House, thereafter, proceeded to walk the Bill for a second reading.