The Oyo State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, okayed rotation of Chairmanship of Obas among the Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadanland and Soun of Ogbomosoland.
The bill was passed during plenary session following the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours by its Vice Chairman, Bamidele Adeola.
It resolved that “the Chairmanship position should be rotated among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomosoland.
The bill, which passed its second reading on the floor of the House last Thursday, had generated heated argument among the traditional rulers and stakeholders in the state.
While some stakeholders from Ibadanland and Ogbomosoland vilified the bill, others saw it as a welcomed development.
It was, however, passed for the amendment after a third reading at the plenary on Tuesday.
The House has also approved the appointment of the 13 Chairmen of the Council, including the Otun and Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The resolution of the House did not go down well with two lawmakers from Oyo East and Atiba Constituencies, Olorunpoto Rahman and Gbenga Oyekola Atiba constituency, respectively.
They walked out while the House was deliberating on the recommendation of the committee
In a sideline interview with newsmen, Rahman said, “We should be guided by the truth on whatever law that we made. Everyone knows the position of Alaafin. We are not out of touch with the history.
“Alaafin is a paramount ruler. We should not make laws for political convenience. We should make a law that can stand the test of time. We should make a law that will align with history.
“We are not satisfied with the process that the committee walked through. There was neither public hearing nor stakeholders engagement. There is no instance where they invited anyone from Oyo to come and speak to this bill. I have serious issues with that,” he added.
Traditional leaders and stakeholders from Ibadanland and Ogbomosoland on Monday opposed a proposed legal amendment by the Oyo State House of Assembly seeking to make the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman of the state’s Council of Obas and Chiefs.
The opposition was contained in a joint statement issued in Ibadan and signed by Mogajis, Baales, monarchs, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, the Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiative, prominent sons and daughters of Ibadanland, and Mogajis from the Soun Ruling Houses of Ogbomoso.
The Punch
