Traditional rulers and key stakeholders from Ibadanland and Ogbomosoland have strongly opposed a proposed amendment by the Oyo State House of Assembly seeking to designate the Alaafin of Oyo as the permanent Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
In a joint statement issued on Monday in Ibadan, the opposition was articulated by a coalition of Mogajis, Baales, royal houses, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), the Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiative (ICPI), and prominent sons and daughters of Ibadanland, alongside the Mogajis of the Soun Ruling Houses of Ogbomoso.
The controversial amendment, which recently passed second reading on the floor of the House under the leadership of Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin, proposes that the Alaafin presides permanently over the council. The bill also stipulates that in the Alaafin’s absence, the Olubadan of Ibadanland would act as chairman, and if both are absent, the Soun of Ogbomoso would assume the role.
Critics of the bill described it as a distortion of Yoruba traditional history and an affront to the legacy and contributions of other respected monarchs in the state. According to them, establishing the Alaafin as a permanent head disregards the evolution of traditional authority post-1837, when the fall of the old Oyo Empire following the Fulani invasion marked a significant power shift among Yoruba cities.
"History clearly shows that Oyo’s supremacy ended with the destruction of Oyo-Ile. Cities like Ibadan and Ogbomoso rose in prominence thereafter," the statement read. They emphasized that the current Oyo Kingdom, founded in 1875 by Prince Atiba, is distinct from the ancient Oyo Empire once ruled by Alaafin Oranmiyan.
The leaders pointed to Ogbomoso and Ibadan’s roles in providing refuge to displaced Oyos and their efforts in halting the Fulani incursion into core Yoruba territories. They referenced a 1984 Supreme Court judgment, which awarded a land dispute to Ogbomoso over Oyo, as evidence of Ogbomoso’s longstanding relevance.
“We reject any attempt to make the Alaafin a permanent chairman. Leadership of the Obas Council must remain rotational to reflect fairness, equity, and historical reality,” the stakeholders declared.
President of the Ibadan Mogajis, Asimiyu Ariori, and ICPI Coordinator, Nurudeen Akinade, reiterated that their position is not driven by personal interest but by a commitment to preserving historical truth and promoting unity across the state.
They urged the House of Assembly to reconsider the bill, warning that forcing the amendment could heighten tensions and undermine traditional harmony. “Let the leadership continue to rotate as it has always done. That is the only way to maintain peace and respect among royal institutions in Oyo State,” they stated.
In a related development, Ibadan Mogajis, led by Mogaji Abass Oloko, staged a protest at the Oyo State House of Assembly complex, drawing a significant crowd. The protesters delivered passionate messages defending the traditional role of the Olubadan and warning against what they described as a divisive legislative move.
Although the Assembly was not in session at the time, the protest served as a bold expression of grassroots opposition. Mogaji Oloko called for a co-chairmanship model that recognizes the Olubadan's importance and warned that a unilateral amendment favoring the Alaafin could destabilize the state.
“This is uncalled for and could lead to chaos,” he cautioned, appealing to Governor Seyi Makinde to step in and ensure the preservation of peace and traditional balance.
“We call on our humane governor to act swiftly and prevent this bill from becoming law. The stability of Oyo State is too important to be jeopardized by political insensitivity to historical facts,” Oloko added.
