BREAKING: Controversy Trails Move To Strip Alaafin Permanent Chair Of Oyo Monarchs Council

The move by the Oyo State House of Assembly to amend the Obaship council law to accommodate additional two royal fathers as permanent chairmen of the state council of traditional rulers to pilot its affairs concurrently with the Alaafin as co-chairmen has been greeted with controversy.

A global network of Nigerians of Oyo extraction, the Oyo Global Forum (OGF) condemned the Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendment) Bill, 2025 before the Oyo Assembly.

A statement by Taiwo Adebayo, its chairman, said the bill sought to strip the Alaafin of Oyo his rightful sole permanent chairmanship of the Council of Obas, and introduce a concurrent arrangement placing the Alaafin, the Olubadan of Ibadan, and the Soun of Ogbomoso as equals.

“This proposal challenges a deeply rooted institution that has, for centuries, symbolised the cultural unity and identity and civilisation of the Yoruba people.

“The Alaafin’s role as Permanent Chairman is not a matter of privilege or politics, but one rooted in historical precedent and traditional seniority.

“This bill, if passed, risks undermining a centuries-long legacy, one that Yoruba people should be proud of and ready to protect and preserve at all times. However, we have witnessed with grave concern a troubling blend of steps to degrade the influence of the Alaafin,” OGF said.

Similarly, the Yoruba Youth Socio-cultural Association (YYSA) through its National chairman of YYSA, Olalekan Hammed on Friday held that the proposed amendment was to degrade the Alaafin of Oyo by the state government.

Hammed explained that both were merely Baale before mid-70s when both of them eventually begun to wear beaded crown through the intervention of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi lll who appealed to the then military administrator in the state, David Jemibewon to approve beaded crown for them.

“The effort making by the Oyo State government to ensure that the three Obas are working together in conjunction at the council is an attempt to abase his stool, which is highly a sacrilegious move,” he said.

However, stakeholders from Ibadanland have opposed the legislative move 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.

In a joint statement, the president of the Ibadan Mogajis, Asimiyu Ariori, and the ICPI Coordinator, Nurudeen Akinade, emphasised that Ibadan had never played second fiddle in the Yoruba traditional structure and had consistently acted as a protector of the Yoruba nation.

They cited 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.

“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.”

Meanwhile, the Council of Elders in Oyo town led by Chief Olaoye paid a solidarity visit to the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin over the proposed amendments to the Council of Obas and Chiefs Law.

The delegation commended the Oyo State House of Assembly for the ongoing efforts to amend the Council of Obas and Chiefs Law, which had been moribund for about 14years.

They welcomed the proposed amendments, particularly the retention of the Alaafin’s position as the Presiding Authority and the plan to expunge the rotational clause in the Chairmanship of the Council.

“We came to appreciate the Oyo State House of Assembly for the ongoing amendments process. The decision to remove the rotational chairmanship clause aligns with historical precedence and this is commendable. For us, this will ensure that the Alaafin as the foremost monarch continues to lead the Council. “

Speaker Ogundoyin appreciated the delegation for their support and solidarity and stressed that the proposed amendments were aimed at strengthening the traditional institution in Oyo State and making it more relevant to the needs of the people.

He assured the delegation that the House would continue to work towards promoting the welfare and interests of the traditional institution and the people of the state.