The Oyo State House of Assembly has ignited fresh controversy following its abrupt reversal on a bill concerning the leadership structure of the Council of Obas and Chiefs. The move, which saw a retraction of an earlier proposal to make the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman of the council, has sparked protests and deep divisions among lawmakers, traditional rulers, and key stakeholders in the state.
On Tuesday, during a plenary session, the House of Assembly reversed its initial position by reinstating a rotational chairmanship system for the Council of Obas and Chiefs. The chairmanship is now set to rotate every two years among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland.
This decision follows intense opposition to the initial bill, which had sought to establish the Alaafin of Oyo as the permanent chairman, while appointing the Olubadan and Soun as concurrent chairmen only in the Alaafin’s absence.
The amendment was introduced through the report presented by the House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters, and State Honours, led by Vice Chairman Bamidele Adeola.
Despite the bill passing its second reading last Thursday, it stirred heated debates, with traditional rulers from Ibadan and Ogbomoso vehemently rejecting the permanent chairmanship clause. They demanded that the rotational leadership system remain to preserve balance and fairness among the state’s major monarchs.
The backlash was not limited to traditional leaders. Two lawmakers representing Oyo East and Atiba constituencies—Olorunpoto Rahman and Gbenga Oyekola—staged a walkout during the House deliberations, protesting the bill’s content and the legislative process.
Rahman, speaking to journalists, criticized the bill’s formulation and passage, saying,
“We should be guided by the truth in whatever law we make. Everyone knows the position of the Alaafin. We are not out of touch with history. The Alaafin is a paramount ruler. We should make laws that stand the test of time and align with history.”
He also condemned the absence of public hearings or stakeholder consultations, particularly pointing out that no one from Oyo town was invited to speak on the bill.
The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon’s palace also condemned the bill, labeling it a “faulty political document” due to the lack of adequate consultations with traditional rulers, who are central to the council’s revival.
In a statement by Bisi Oladele, media consultant to the Olugbon, the palace urged lawmakers to halt consideration of the bill and conduct wider stakeholder engagements. The statement warned against skewing the council’s structure in favor of Ibadan indigenes, potentially marginalizing other zones such as Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, and Ibarapa.
The palace emphasized the need for fairness, justice, and equity in the council’s makeup to prevent further ethnic and political dominance by Ibadan, which has historically produced most governors since 1999.
Oba Francis Alao, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, provided historical context to the dispute. He explained that while Ogbomoso is politically prominent, its ancient status is relatively younger compared to Orile-Igbon and neighboring Ijeru.
He noted,
“Should history alone determine the council’s leadership, then Olugbon should be ahead of Soun of Ogbomoso. However, demography and political convenience have shaped the current structure.”
Oba Alao acknowledged the Alaafin’s traditional supremacy, ruling a vast kingdom with numerous sub-kingdoms, unlike the Soun or Olubadan, which strengthens Alaafin’s claim to permanent chairmanship historically. Yet, he called for a balanced approach to reconcile tradition with modern political realities.
Adding to the debate, the Ebedi Frontliners, a community group from Iseyin, demanded inclusion of the Aseyin of Iseyin as a co-chairman representing the Oke-Ogun zone, citing the unequal representation of local government areas.
Their Public Relations Officer, Segun Fasasi, argued,
“Alaafin represents four LGAs, Soun five, and Olubadan eleven, leaving the Oke-Ogun zone with ten LGAs and no chairmanship candidate. There must be equitable representation.”
Despite disagreements, the group praised Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration for attempting to democratize the state’s chieftaincy laws, giving more roles to traditional rulers.
The controversy highlights the delicate balance between tradition, politics, and governance in Oyo State. The council of Obas and Chiefs plays a vital role in maintaining cultural heritage and local administration, making its leadership structure a sensitive issue.
Stakeholders urge the Assembly to prioritize inclusiveness, transparency, and public consultation in finalizing the bill. Failure to do so risks deepening divisions among monarchs and their subjects, potentially destabilizing peace in the state.
The Oyo State House of Assembly’s backtracking on the traditional council bill is a significant political development with lasting implications. As protests and calls for wider dialogue intensify, the government faces pressure to craft a law that respects historical realities, promotes equity, and strengthens the traditional institution’s role in governance.
The unfolding situation will be closely watched by Nigerians eager for peaceful coexistence and fair representation in one of the country’s most culturally rich states.