From Oluseye Ojo
Ibadan indigenes have endorsed the Oyo State House of Assembly’s passage of a bill making the chairmanship of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs rotational.
The Oyo State Chieftaincy Law (Further Amendment) 2025 passed its third reading on Tuesday, May 20, with 30 of the 32 lawmakers supporting it, while two walked out in protest.
Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), spoke at a media parley on Wednesday, May 21, at Ibadan House, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan. He praised the 10th Oyo State House of Assembly for its decision. “The position taken by the House is one of justice and equity. We are not surprised that the Assembly did the right thing by passing the bill to rotate the chairmanship among the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Soun of Ogbomosoland, and Alaafin of Oyo,” Ajewole said.
The Assembly initially proposed making the Alaafin the permanent chairman, with the Olubadan presiding in his absence and the Soun in the absence of both. However, heated debates led to adopting a rotational system, as introduced by former Governor Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala in 2011. The Oyo State Chieftaincy Law 2000 had previously designated the Alaafin as permanent chairman, but the 2011 amendment was challenged in court by the late Alaafin, who died over three years ago. The state has lacked a functioning council of obas for 14 years.
Ajewole renewed his call for the creation of Ibadan State, noting, “Ibadan comprises 65 towns, 1,456 villages, and one people. It is not just a town; it is a megapolis.” He added, “The stool of Olubadan has been tested for years and earned respect from many quarters, including colonial masters.”
He thanked the lawmakers and Speaker for their decision and Governor Seyi Makinde for allowing the Assembly to work independently. Ajewole urged stakeholders to embrace peace and support the council’s progress.