Traditional leaders and stakeholders from Ibadanland and Ogbomosoland on Monday frowned against a proposed amendment by the Oyo State House of Assembly seeking to make the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent Chairman of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by Mogajis, Baales, monarchs, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, the Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiative and prominent sons and daughters of Ibadanland, along with Mogajis of the Soun Ruling Houses of Ogbomoso, in Ibadan, the state capital.
According to report, the amendment bill to make Alaafin a permanent chairman of the council passed the second reading on the floor of the House presided over by the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, on Thursday,
It will also be recalled that the bill has been passed to the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters for further scrutiny.
According to the bill, the amendment presents the Alaafin as the presiding authority while in his absence, the Olubadan of Ibadanland shall preside. If both the Alaafin and Olubadan are absent, the Soun of Ogbomoso shall preside as the Chairman of the council.
However, a statement by the traditional leaders and stakeholders from Ibadanland and Ogbomosoland, on Monday, condemned the proposed amendment, describing it as a distortion of historical tradition and an affront to other traditional institutions in the state.
The stakeholders said, “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.”
President of the Ibadan Mogajis, Asimiyu Ariori, and ICPI Coordinator, Nurudeen Akinade, reaffirmed their stance, saying, “Their opposition is not based on personal interest but rooted in historical precedent and aimed at ensuring unity and peace across the state.”
They therefore warned the House not to create unnecessary tension, urging lawmakers to respect tradition and uphold the rotational leadership model for the Council of Obas and Chiefs.
“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 honoured Oba Adeyemi’s age, as well as his brain, he spent over 50 years on the throne before his demise, yet he never disrespected Ibadan people. So, this current Alaafin should thread softly,” they concluded.
The Punch
