A battle line has been drawn between the three leading traditional obas in Oyo State over the leadership of the traditional rulers’ council.
The long-drawn battle which started in the Old Oyo State, returned to the front burner – after being in abeyance for some years – because of the traditional rulers’ amendment bill being considered by the House of Assembly.
The bill had proposed the Alaafin of Oyo as permanent chairman, the Olubadan of Ibadan as deputy chairman and Soun of Ogbomoso as vice chairman.
Last week, Ibadan leaders, including the Obas, Mogajis (family heads), Baales, members of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), the Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiative (ICPI), and other prominent sons and daughters, speaking on behalf of the Olubadan, rejected permanent chairmanship for the Alaafin and canvassed rotation among the three leading traditional rulers.
These, according to them, will guarantee equity.
The Mogajis of the Soun Ruling Houses of Ogbomoso described the proposed amendment as a distortion of historical tradition and an affront to traditional institutions in the state.
According to them, the chairmanship of the Council had always been rotational, adding that it should remain so to reflect fairness and equity.
They said: “Mogajis from Ogbomoso in their large numbers, together with Ibadan Mogajis, were this morning (yesterday) at the Oyo State House of Assembly.
“The respect we have for the immediate past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, was as a result of his relationship with the traditional institution and some of the distinguished personalities in Ibadanland.
“We respected and honored Oba Adeyemi’s age, as well as his brain, haven’t spent over 50 years on the throne before his demise, yet, he never disrespected Ibadan people, so, this current Alaafin should thread softly.”
The supremacy war among the traditional ruler stalled activities of the Oyo State Council of traditional rulers under the previous occupants of the stools.
On May 15, an Executive Bill restoring the position of Alaafin as Permanent Chairman scaled through the Second Reading during plenary at the Oyo State House of Assembly.
The proposed legislation, christened Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025 was passed to the House Committee on Chieftaincy Matters and State Honuors for further legislative action.
However, the Oyo State House of Assembly has made a dramatic U-turn on the passage of the amendment of the Chieftaincy Law, which is aimed at making the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs.
The House, after deliberation on the recommendation of its Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, resolved that the chairmanship position should be rotated among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland.
The bill for the amendment of the law was passed after a third reading at the plenary on Tuesday.
