Ibadan elders reject Bill making Alaafin permanent chair of Oyo Obas council

Traditional leaders, elders, and prominent stakeholders from Ibadanland have opposed a legislative move by the Oyo State House of Assembly, seeking to make the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and chiefs.

The opposition came from the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Ibadan Mogajis, the Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiative (ICPI), Baales, monarchs, and other notable sons and daughters of Ibadanland.

They warned that the proposal could disrupt the longstanding harmony among traditional institutions in the state.

At the heart of their concern is the proposed Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, which is currently at its second reading in the State Assembly.

The bill aims to permanently assign the chairmanship position to the Alaafin of Oyo, thereby ending the existing rotational leadership structure among traditional rulers in Oyo State.

Historically, the chairmanship was originally assigned to the Alaafin under the Council of Obas and Chiefs Law, Cap. 37, Laws of Oyo State, 2000, but was later amended to introduce a rotational system to reflect the diversity of the state’s traditional leadership.

n a joint statement, the president of the Ibadan Mogajis, Asimiyu Ariori, and the ICPI Coordinator, Nurudeen Akinade, expressed strong objections to the proposed change. They emphasised that Ibadan has never played second fiddle in the Yoruba traditional structure and has consistently acted as a protector of the Yoruba nation.

They cited historical examples, including Ibadan’s military resistance against external threats such as the Fulani expansion in the 19th century, as evidence of the city’s strategic importance and leadership role in Yorubaland.

The stakeholders urged the House of Assembly to maintain the rotational leadership system to preserve unity and respect among traditional rulers across the state.

“Chief Obafemi Awolowo wouldn’t have become the Premier of the Western region if not for the Ibadan People’s party that joined hands with the Action Group (AG) against the NCNC of Nnamdi Azikwe. By now, the free Education and infrastructure, industrial and other developmental efforts would have probably eluded Yorubaland.

“Ibadan has always been saving the Yoruba nation, there was never a time Ibadanland has been second in command to Oyo or any other town in Yorubaland. Ibadan should be made the permanent chairman of Oyo Obas. The fact that we keep quiet doesn’t mean that we are fools.

“When Ibadan people do not claim to be the permanent chairman, why will Oyo Alaafin want to be so? The Oyo State House of Assembly will have itself to blame if the Tories’ obnoxious bill scales through.

“Former governor Christopher Alao Akala has approved the rotational Oyo Obas’ rotational chairmanship during his tenure as the governor of Oyo State, with HIM, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1 presiding over the Council meeting. Ibadan will not take it because we are always the number one in all affairs.”

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