Drama in House of Reps as Lawmaker Claims Ibadan Is Bigger Than Four South-East States, Sparks Heated Debate
A mild drama unfolded at the House of Representatives on Thursday after a member of the House made a controversial claim that Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, is bigger than four states in Nigeria’s South-East region combined.
The comment, which was made during a plenary session, immediately triggered murmurs across the chamber and later set off a wave of heated discussions both within the House and on social media platforms.
According to the lawmaker, Ibadan’s landmass and population surpass those of the South-East states, a statement that was met with disbelief and criticism from colleagues who described it as inaccurate and inflammatory.
While the lawmaker’s name was not immediately mentioned in the session’s transcript circulating online, video clips from the House floor show other members responding sharply, questioning the basis and motive behind the claim.
Reactions have since flooded social media, with Nigerians debating the accuracy and relevance of the lawmaker’s assertion.
Some commentators agreed, arguing that Ibadan’s vast geographical spread and population density give weight to the statement. One user wrote, “That’s a known fact. The entire South-East region is just slightly bigger than Oyo State.”
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Others, however, dismissed the claim as misleading and uneducated, noting that Enugu State alone covers about 7,161 square kilometers, while Ibadan’s metropolitan area is only about 3,080 square kilometers.
A political analyst, commenting on the controversy, said:
“Statements like this are unnecessary and divisive. The focus of lawmakers should be on policies that promote unity and development, not on geographical comparisons that have no legislative value.”
Online discussions quickly turned into a regional debate, with some accusing the legislator of tribal bias, while others called for fact-based discussions on Nigeria’s regional development and resource management.
A user identified as raumdeuter clarified:
“The size of the Ibadan metro area is about 6,000 sq km. It’s not even close to the combined size of the South-East. What is correct is that Oyo State as a whole is roughly the size of the South-East region.”
Despite the uproar, the House leadership has not issued an official statement on the matter as of press time.
The incident adds to a growing list of controversial remarks made by lawmakers in recent months that have sparked regional and ethnic tensions, reflecting the delicate nature of Nigeria’s political discourse.