The Olugbon of Orile-Igbo, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, has firmly condemned the proposed amendment to the Council of Obas and Chiefs Law currently before the Oyo State House of Assembly, describing it as a politically motivated and culturally defective legislation.
In a statement issued through his media consultant, Bisi Oladele, on Wednesday, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbo expressed deep concern over the lack of due consultation and transparency in the drafting and presentation of the Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendment) Bill 2025. According to him, the bill undermines the traditional structure and heritage of the Yoruba people, especially within the Oyo traditional institution.
The amendment bill, which reportedly seeks to grant membership of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs to the ten high chiefs of Ibadan, who are part of the Olubadan-in-Council, has sparked widespread discontent among monarchs outside the Ibadan zone. Oba Alao emphasized that the bill, if passed in its current form, would create a lopsided representation that marginalizes other significant traditional stools in Oyo State.
“The Palace of the Olugbon of Orile-Igbo views the Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendment) Bill 2025 before the Oyo State House of Assembly as a faulty political document whose consideration should be halted to allow for proper consultations,” the statement read.
Oba Alao, who also serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, argued that the legislative process was flawed from the onset. He criticized the absence of a public hearing or any form of stakeholder engagement before the bill was introduced, stating that such a procedure contradicts democratic norms and customary values.
He also questioned the motive behind the inclusion of the Ibadan high chiefs in the Council, describing it as an “aberration to Yoruba traditional hierarchy” and a deviation from long-established cultural precedence.
“What is being attempted through this bill is not only an injustice to other traditional institutions in the state but also a distortion of our ancestral legacy. The Council must remain an inclusive and representative body,” he warned.
The monarch appealed to the lawmakers to prioritize the unity and cultural integrity of the state rather than yielding to political pressures. He stressed that any reform to the traditional council should be the product of collective dialogue involving all monarchs and traditional institutions in the state.
The Olugbon’s statement comes amid ongoing controversy over the recent rotational policy of chairmanship within the Council of Obas and Chiefs. The policy, which was initiated under the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, has been met with mixed reactions from the traditional community.
This is not the first time the Oyo State House of Assembly has faced criticism over proposed changes to chieftaincy laws. In 2017, former Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s attempt to restructure the Ibadan chieftaincy system led to prolonged legal battles and traditional unrest.
The 2025 amendment is now raising fresh questions about the balance of power, regional fairness, and the role of politics in chieftaincy matters. While proponents argue that it will modernize traditional institutions and reflect urban growth, critics insist it will further polarize the state’s already delicate traditional system.
Prominent traditional leaders from Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, and Ibarapa zones have also expressed concerns over the bill, with some warning that its passage without broad consultation may lead to a boycott of Council meetings and legal action.
Oba Alao urged the House to suspend further deliberation on the bill and open dialogue with all traditional stakeholders across the state. He recommended that the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters facilitate inclusive consultations and ensure that any legislative changes reflect the diverse traditional realities of the state.
“Let this not become another constitutional misadventure that will tear at the fabrics of our cultural identity. We must tread carefully and honor the legacies of our forebears,” he concluded.
As the bill continues to generate heated debate, all eyes remain on the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly and Governor Makinde’s administration, whose next steps may determine the stability and unity of the state’s royal institutions.