The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued an appeal to President Bola Tinubu regarding the designation of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as the headquarters of the newly established South West Development Commission (SWDC). This bill, recently passed by the Senate, aims to facilitate collective growth and development across the six states in the South-West region. The political party commended the National Assembly for its swift legislative action, characterizing the SWDC as crucial for ensuring equity, fairness, and national integration in regional development.
The Oyo APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, emphasized the significance of the commission beyond mere replication of existing geopolitical frameworks. The party anticipates the SWDC to serve as a platform for collaboration, innovation, and mutual support among South-West states, particularly valuing its potential for special interventions and infrastructural development. They articulated that a well-structured and adequately funded SWDC could significantly narrow existing developmental gaps in the region, thereby promoting a more equitable allocation of resources.
The local party leadership underscored the rationale for choosing Ibadan as the operational base of the SWDC, asserting that its historical context as the former capital of the Western Region makes it uniquely positioned for this responsibility. They argued that Ibadan offers a sense of collective identity and belonging for the Yoruba people, with representation from all corners of Yorubaland in the city. This inclusivity, they noted, would ensure that operations of the SWDC would be fair and non-discriminatory, bolstering solidarity among the states while also enhancing development outcomes across the region.
Moreover, the Oyo APC highlighted the advantages of fostering a robust partnership with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN Commission), viewing this collaboration as pivotal to achieving the SWDC’s goals. They urged all stakeholders to support this initiative and cautioned against any attempts to undermine the effectiveness or establishment of the new commission, advocating for immediate operational activation through proper funding from the relevant governmental bodies.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Leader of the Senate, affirmed the concerted efforts of South-West lawmakers in lobbying for the SWDC’s establishment. He acknowledged the valuable contributions of his colleagues from various political parties in ensuring the bill’s passage, emphasizing the importance of collaboration beyond party lines for the advancement of regional interests. During a recent assembly of the APC, he indicated that the South-West Caucus had effectively mobilized bipartisan support, underscoring their collective commitment to development and stability in the National Assembly.
Bamidele further stated that the presence of a strong bloc of APC senators from the South-West has enhanced their influence in the legislature, allowing them to advocate successfully for the interests of their constituents. He reaffirmed that the establishment of the SWDC is not merely a choice but a necessary response to the existing framework of other regional commissions. The group is now anticipating the bill’s further progression through the legislative process, including obtaining the House of Representatives’ concurrence before presenting it to the President for his approval. Bamidele concluded by encouraging ongoing unity among various political affiliations to achieve more significant developmental milestones for the South-West.
