NEWS
South West Public Hearing on Constitutional Review in Akure
…Ijero Delegates seek correction of the Anomalous Error on the placement of the proposed Ijero Municipal LGA, Ekiti State in Osun State
By Femi Alufa
The Federal House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review at the SouthWest Region B (Ondo, Ekiti and Osun States) held on Friday 18th July, 2025 at The International Culture and Events Center (The Dome),Igbatoro Road, Akure,the Ondo State capital.
Politicians, Traditional Rulers, Civil Society Organisations, Media, Eminent Citizens and Community Stakeholders in the Nigeria Project converged for the public hearing on the review of the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
State and Non-State Actors, Community Stakeholders and active citizens from Ondo, Ekiti and Osun States met at “The Dome” in Akure to press home their demand on the review of the Nigeria Constitution as it affects their communities,gender and vocation.
The event convened by the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the Constitution was chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives,Rt Benjamin Okezie Kalu,CFR .
Hon.James Abiodun Faleke, Member, Federal House of Representatives, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency of Lagos State was the Chairman of the Southwest Regional Public Hearing held in Akure on Friday.
The House of Representatives Spokesman,
Hon.Akin Rotimi Jnr.,who represents Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1,Hon.Oluwole Oke,MHR representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency,Osun State,HRM Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, the Olowo of Owo and Chairman,Ondo State Council of Traditional Rulers,HRM Oba Ayorinde Ilori- Faboro, The Olojudo of Ido- Ekiti and Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers were among the dignitaries that graced the historic occasion.
Also present at the event was Mr.Lucky Ayedatiwa, Governor of Ondo State,Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke was represented by his Deputy,Prince Kola Adewusi and Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji was represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice,Mr.Dayo Apata,SAN and Speaker , Ekiti State House of Assembly,Rt Hon.Adeoye Aribasoye.
According to the Deputy Speaker and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CFR, the public hearings took place across the designated centres in the six regions of Nigeria has previously announced.
The essence of the public hearing is to ensure broader participation by Nigerians and foster exchange of ideas.
It also provide a platform for feedback to members of the public on memoranda submitted.
The Committee received Memoranda from traditional institutions, civil societies and various interest groups for creation of additional States and Local Governments. A total of 46 applications were received for the creation of new states and 117 Memos for the creation of new local government areas across the 36 states in Nigeria.
Rt.Hon.Kalu noted that the next National Public Hearing on Constitution Review, which was initially scheduled to hold on Monday, 21st July 2025 in Abuja, has been postponed.
“This decision is in recognition of the period of national mourning following the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a statesman and leader whose service and legacy are being honoured across the country”.
“The National Public Hearing is now rescheduled to hold in September 2025, with the exact date to be communicated in due course”.
“The Committee appreciates the continued engagement and contributions of Nigerians across all regions and urges the public to remain actively involved in the ongoing constitutional review process, which is vital to the strengthening of Nigeria’s democracy”, Kalu added.
However,the Committee for the Actualisation of Ijero Municipal Local Government Area, Ekiti State under the chairmanship of Chief(Hon.) Kayode Alufa have been working assiduously for the renewed efforts for the creation of Ijero Municipal LGA with the headquarters in Ijero-Ekiti.The Memorandum for the Ijero Municipal LGA was submitted in March to the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review by Hon.Yemi Arokodare,a former member, Federal House of Representatives, representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2 ( Ijero, Ekiti West & Efon LGAs)in 2003-2007.
The “Summarized Compendium Bills” published by the House Committee on Constitution Review in July ,2025 placed the proposed Ijero Municipal LGA from the present Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State in Osun State of Nigeria in the page 48 of the Summarized Compendium Bills,
The Ijero -Ekiti community delegates representing the Paramount ruler, HRM Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, The Owa Ajero of Ijero Kingdom and the good people of Ijero -Ekiti attended the Akure Public Hearings to press home their demand for the creation of Ijero Municipal LGA from the present Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State with headquarters at Ijero-Ekiti.
The Ijero Delegates led by High Chief Rufus Olayiwola Falodu,the Saade of Ijero -Ekiti thanked Hon.Oluwole Oke (Obokun/ Oriade Federal Constituency, Osun State) for making sure that the bill for Ijero Municipal LGA reached second reading at the floor of the House of Representatives,Abuja.
Secretary, Committee for the Actualisation of Ijero Municipal Local Government Area,Femi Alufa,who submitted the Letter to the Public Hearing Committee said that the ” anomalous error of putting the proposed Ijero Municipal LGA, Ekiti State in Osun State should be corrected for the sake of this urgent matter and future references.”
Apart from High Chief Rufus Falodu and High Chief Tope Babalogbon ,the representatives of the Owa Ajero -in-Council, the Ijero-Ekiti Delegates at the Public Hearing event in Akure included Hon.Ademola Ojo(member, Ekiti State House of Assembly, representing Ijero Constituency), Princess Adetoun Agboola (Special Adviser to Ekiti State Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion), Pastor Peter Akosile; Representatives of the Ijero Development Association (IDA) Dr.Babatope Omoyajowo and Mr.Sunday Alabi and Femi Alufa, Secretary of the Committee for the Actualisation of Ijero Municipal LGA.
Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, The Owa Ajero of Ijero Kingdom express his royal gratitude to the eight delegates who went to represent the good people of Ijero -Ekiti in Akure yesterday.
” It was a powerful delegation indeed. We also thank God for their safe journey to and fro.”
We pray that we shall enjoy the grace of the Lord and the favour of the National Assembly and the benevolence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to have our Ijero Municipal LGA created soonest.”Owa Ajero said.
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