Traditional leaders and stakeholders from Ibadanland and Ogbomosoland have strongly opposed a proposed legal amendment by the Oyo State House of Assembly seeking to make the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman of the state’s Council of Obas and Chiefs.
This proposal was met with stiff resistance from major royal institutions and influential families in the state. The bill, which recently passed its second reading in the state assembly, aims to designate the Alaafin of Oyo as the permanent head of the traditional rulers’ council in Oyo State.
In a joint statement issued in Ibadan on Monday, leaders from both Ibadan and Ogbomoso strongly voiced their disagreement. The statement was endorsed by several royal figures, including Mogajis (family heads), Baales (village heads), and notable organizations such as the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes and the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI).
Others who signed include prominent sons and daughters of both regions, and Mogajis representing the ruling houses in Ogbomoso.
The amendment bill, currently with the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, proposes that the Alaafin permanently preside over the Council of Obas and Chiefs. If he is unavailable, the Olubadan of Ibadanland would take charge, followed by the Soun of Ogbomoso in the event both are absent.
However, many traditional stakeholders argue that this shift goes against long-standing customs. They insist the council’s leadership has always rotated among major royal seats in the state.
“The chairmanship of the council has always been rotational and should remain so to reflect fairness and equity among all royal stools in the state,” the statement noted.
Asimiyu Ariori, President of the Ibadan Mogajis, and Nurudeen Akinade, ICPI Coordinator, both stressed that their concerns stem from preserving tradition and unity in the state, not personal ambition. They urged lawmakers to avoid actions that could trigger unrest among communities.
They also drew a distinction between the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III and the current Alaafin.
“The respect we have for the immediate past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, was because of his relationship with the traditional institutions and some distinguished personalities in Ibadanland,” they stated.
“We respected and honoured Oba Adeyemi’s age and wisdom. He spent over 50 years on the throne before his demise, yet he never disrespected the Ibadan people. The current Alaafin should tread softly.”
