For over 100 years, the people of old Ijebu province have dreamed of having their own state. Today, that dream is closer to reality than ever before, thanks to one man’s brilliant leadership, Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, writes Seunmanuel Faleye.
Through his Senate Bill 654, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has not just written a law. He has written history. This is the story of how one leader turned a century of disappointment into hope, and how he proved himself to be exactly what his people needed: the right man at the right time.
Imagine having a dream for 100 years, but never being able to make it come true. That was the situation facing the people of Ijebu and Remo lands. Every time the opportunity came to create their own state, something went wrong. The biggest problem? The Ijebu people and their Remo brothers and sisters could never agree on one important thing: what to call the new state.
The Ijebu people wanted it called “Ijebu State.” The Remo people feared their identity would be lost, so they wanted a “Remo State” with Sagamu as the capital. This disagreement killed their chances again and again, while other regions successfully created new states like Ekiti, Osun, and others.
For years, this division seemed impossible to solve. The two groups are like family, but even families sometimes disagree. The question was: who could bring them together?
Enter Otunba Gbenga Daniel, a man whose very bloodline made him the perfect bridge between the two sides. His father’s family comes from Remo, and his mother’s family comes from Ijebu. In other words, he belongs to both sides equally.
But being from both sides wasn’t enough. Daniel needed to be smart, patient, and skilled at bringing people together. Fortunately, he had all these qualities in abundance.
When the disagreement threatened to tear the two communities apart (just like the famous Ife-Modakeke crisis), Daniel stepped in with a brilliant plan.
Daniel’s approach was simple but genius. Instead of trying to force one side to accept the other’s position, he suggested something different: “Let both sides form committees and come up with their own proposals. Then we’ll bring both proposals together and find a solution that works for everyone.”
This was pure political brilliance. By letting both sides feel heard and respected, Daniel created space for compromise. He also organized town hall meetings across both communities, listening to ordinary people and explaining why unity was better than division.
The message was clear: “We are family. We have more things that bring us together than things that separate us.”
The breakthrough came on July 4, 2025, at a major meeting in Lagos. Daniel stood before traditional rulers from across Southwest Nigeria, lawmakers, and civil society leaders. Then he made an announcement that sent waves of joy through the crowd.
The Remo Traditional Council, he announced, had agreed to support the new state creation, with a compromise name that honoured both communities: “Ijebu-Remo State.”
The capital would remain in Ijebu-Ode, respecting historical tradition, but the state’s name would recognize both Ijebu and Remo heritage. It was a perfect solution that nobody had thought of before.
This isn’t just about creating another state. It’s about correcting a historical injustice that has lasted over 100 years.
When Nigeria was formed from 24 provinces, the old Ijebu province was one of the most important economically. Think about it: this region has produced some of Nigeria’s biggest business leaders, including Mike Adenuga (Globacom, Conoil) – one of Africa’s richest men, Oba Otudeko (Honeywell Group) – major industrialist, Chief Timothy Odutola – pioneering Nigerian industrialist, Otunba Subomi Balogun (FCMB) – banking pioneer and Chief Kessington Adebutu (“Baba Ijebu”) – lottery business giant, among others.
These business giants and many others have proven that Ijebu-Remo people know how to create wealth and drive economic growth. Yet they’ve never had their own state to show for it.
Daniel’s Senate Bill 654 isn’t just any bill—it’s a masterpiece of legal and political strategy. The bill seeks to change Section 3(1) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution to create the 37th state of the federation.
But Daniel was too smart to work alone. He coordinated with House of Representatives members Hon. Femi Ogunbanwo and Hon. Joseph Adegbesan to present similar bills in the lower house. This two-pronged approach increases the chances of success.
The bill has already passed first and second readings in both chambers of the National Assembly. That’s significant progress in the constitutional amendment process.
Ijebu-Remo State won’t just be another state depending on federal money. The proposed state includes nine local government areas with over 1.5 million people. More importantly, it’s home to numerous banks, factories, and trading companies.
This means the new state would likely generate enough revenue to fund its own development while contributing to the national treasury. In other words, it makes economic sense.
Perhaps Daniel’s greatest achievement was preventing what could have been a disaster. When some Remo people initially resisted the idea and called for their own separate state, tensions rose dangerously.
A lesser politician might have chosen sides or used force. Daniel chose patience and dialogue. He organized meeting after meeting, listening to concerns and explaining the benefits of unity.
His message was consistent: “We are stronger together than apart. Let’s build something great together rather than fight over small differences.”
Daniel understood that creating a state requires following proper procedures. You can’t just wish a state into existence—you must follow the law.
The constitutional amendment process requires:
- Bills passed by both chambers of the National Assembly
- Public hearings in all six geo-political zones
- Approval by two-thirds of all state assemblies
- Presidential assent
Daniel has skillfully navigated these requirements, ensuring that every step follows proper procedure. This attention to detail shows his commitment to doing things the right way.
The July 4th public hearing in Lagos was Daniel’s moment of triumph. When he announced that the Remo Traditional Council had agreed to the “Ijebu-Remo State” compromise, the room erupted in celebration.
Traditional rulers, lawmakers, and civil society leaders witnessed history in the making. A century-old dream was finally becoming possible because one man had the wisdom to bring people together rather than divide them.
The Man: Daniel proved he has what it takes to solve problems that stumped leaders for 100 years. His combination of patience, intelligence, and diplomatic skill set him apart.
The Bridge: With roots in both Ijebu and Remo communities, Daniel was uniquely positioned to understand both sides and bring them together. But being a bridge requires more than just background—it requires the ability to carry people across divisions.
The Choice: When history needed a leader to make this dream come true, Daniel stepped up. His constituents made the right choice in sending him to the Senate.
Daniel’s success with the Ijebu-Remo State project shows something important about leadership. Real leaders don’t just follow popular opinion—they shape it. They don’t just manage crises, they prevent them.
Most importantly, they understand that lasting solutions require bringing people together, not dividing them. In a country where ethnic and religious divisions often dominate politics, Daniel’s approach offers a different model.
Senate Bill 654 still needs to complete the constitutional amendment process. It needs approval from two-thirds of all state assemblies and the president’s signature.
But thanks to Daniel’s careful preparation and diplomatic success, the bill is in a strong position. The fact that both Ijebu and Remo communities now support it removes the biggest obstacle that killed previous attempts.
When Ijebu-Remo State is finally created—and it looks increasingly likely—Otunba Gbenga Daniel will be remembered as the man who made it happen. But his legacy goes beyond state creation.
He will be remembered as a leader who proved that Nigeria’s ethnic and regional differences don’t have to be sources of conflict. Instead, they can be sources of strength when handled with wisdom and patience.
He showed that the best way to solve old problems is not with force or tricks but with honest dialogue and genuine respect for all sides.
For over 100 years, the people of old Ijebu province waited for their own state. They watched as other regions achieved their dreams while theirs remained unfulfilled.
Today, thanks to Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s brilliant leadership, that long wait is almost over. Through Senate Bill 654 and his masterful diplomacy, Daniel has brought his people closer to their dreams than ever before.
The lesson is clear: sometimes all it takes is the right person at the right time, with the right approach, to make impossible dreams come true.
In the case of Ijebu-Remo State, that person is Otunba Gbenga Daniel—truly “The Man, The Bridge, and The Choice.”
As the saying goes, “All’s well that ends well”—and this story is heading toward a very happy ending indeed.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
