Drama unfolded at the Olubadan Palace as Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, issued a stern warning to the restless advocates of the so-called “New Oyo State.” The monarch, in a meeting with the Committee on the Creation of Ibadan and New Oyo State, didn’t mince words: without unity, their dreams are dead on arrival.

The push for new states is the latest craze sweeping Nigeria, and the New Oyo State movement is no exception. But behind the scenes, it’s a hotbed of rivalry and confusion. The big question: who gets the glory of being the state capital? Oyo town? Iseyin? Agunrege? Even Ogbomoso, which has chosen to remain suspiciously silent, is in the mix. The name and location of the capital have become a battleground, exposing deep cracks among the agitators.

Oba Ladoja didn’t hold back, pointing out the obvious: “There are many interests already emerging. Iseyin wants to be a state capital. Agunrege is interested. Oyo is interested. Ogbomoso is silent. All these towns, including virgin lands, qualify to be state capitals.” He questioned the lack of representation from key areas like Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso, bluntly telling the committee, “You cannot wish them away.”

It’s a classic case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. The monarch’s comments exposed the messy reality of state creation in Nigeria, where ethnic and political interests always seem to trump unity. Without a miracle, the New Oyo State agitation looks set to collapse under the weight of its own contradictions.

Meanwhile, Ojelabi Morakinyo from Ibarapa tried to play peacemaker, insisting that Ibarapa and Ibadan are on the same page. But with so many power players in the room,including the Osi Olubadan and the President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes,it’s clear that everyone wants a piece of the action.

Oba Ladoja’s intervention is a reality check for the agitators. The history of state creation in Nigeria is littered with failed attempts, and this one is already showing signs of going the same way. Unless the warring factions can miraculously come together, the New Oyo State dream may remain just that,a dream.