Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, thus bringing back to life the Council that had been comatose since 2011.
This follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025 by the state House of Assembly, and signing of same into law by the governor.
Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
While inaugurating the Council, Governor Makinde said he had consulted with the trio of the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun, with the three of them reaching a consensus that the chairmanship should start with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja. The Olubadan will head the Council for two years before one of the other two takes over.
The governor said the absence of the Council had robbed the traditional rulers of some benefits from the state government, adding that with the inauguration, the Council now has the right to make demands of the state government.
He promised to do everything to ease the Council’s operation, adding that the renovation of the House of Chiefs, where the Council meets, would commence as soon as the Council sends in its request.
While speaking with journalists later, Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde for inaugurating the Council after a long hiatus.
