Council of Obas: ‘Soun has antecedent to claim permanent chairmanship,’ Ogbomoso Parapo declares
Khalid ABRAHAM
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Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaaye has issued a stern warning to the Oyo State House of Assembly over its plan to make the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
The matter has been stoking uproar with arguments in support and against depending on which divides one belongs.
Recall that Oyo State House of Assembly had taken the second reading of the Council of Obas and Chiefs [further amendment] Bill, 2025, at its plenary session last week to abolish the rotational chairmanship/leadership system among the three paramount rulers in Oyo state, comprising: Olubadan of Ibadan, Soun of Ogbomoso, and Alaafin of Oyo.
But weighing in on the issue Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaaye has declared that it stands by the rotational chairmanship instituted by the late Governor Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala in 2011 warning that a misstep by the House could spark crisis in the state.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, titled “Rotational chairmanship of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs,” and signed by Prince Aderemi Oluwasegunfunmi Abdulfaruq Olude with the designation (chairman home headquarters) and Rev’d Gbenga Ogunniyi, GSO, on behalf of the secretary, the apex Ogbomoso socio-cultural organisation notes, “We write to crave the indulgence of the Oyo State House of Assembly not to cause more rift and chaos in Oyo state by making Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman of Obas and chiefs in Oyo state. On this matter, we crave your indulgence as a matter of urgency to refrain from this.”
The group asserts that Ogbomoso has never been a vassal town to any other recalling rather how the town waged series of wars to protect Yoruba country from the advancing Fulani armies whose aspiration was to subdue Yorubaland and replace Obas with Emirs.
“Ogbomoso people as a matter of heritage have never for once been second to Oyo or any other town in the Yorubaland, rather she positions herself in a pedestal that protects the entire Yoruba kingdom.
“Also, be reminded that Ogbomoso and her very brave king stopped the Fulani invasion into the Yourbaland when they were advancing towards the southwest, trying twenty-four times, if not for the bravery of Ogbomoso, most Yoruba monarchs would be titled emirs.”
In similar vein the body submits Ogbomoso through Soun Ogunlola saved Oyo from the menace of Elemoso terrorism centuries ago.
“Also, if not for the bravery of Soun Ogunlola, there won’t be anything called Oyo or Alaafin today as a result of the terrorism of Elemoso which almost annihilated Oyo before Ogunlola saved Oyo and Alaafin himself.”
The role Ogbomoso played in preserving both Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole such as producing the greatest number of Yoruba generalissimos was also highlighted as a proof of the town’s formidability and non submission to any other power.
“Furthermore, taking you a bit back into history, Ogbomoso and his brave men have always been saving the entire Yoruba race. Out of the seventeen (17) Aare-Ona Kankanfo (Warlords) in the Yorubaland since inception, Ogbomoso alone has produced six (6), the most for any town in all of history.
“Also talking about how Ogbomoso protected our dear nation, Nigeria during the Biafra war when the singlehanded bravery of Benjamin Adekunle (Black Scorpion) of blessed memory.”
It observes these invaluable roles underline the claim of non inferiority of the town in the chairmanship of the Oyo Council of Obas and Chiefs’ consideration declaring boldly the Soun has historical antecedent to have a righteous claim to the permanent chairmanship position of the esteemed body.
“As a matter of fact, all these make invaluable points to make Soun of Ogbomoso permanent chairman of the Oyo state council of obas and chiefs.”
It however points out the Ogbomoso monarch is not angling for the position but staking a claim to rotational arrangement.
“Soun of Ogbomoso is not clamoring to be the permanent chairman of the council, but why should this be a thing for Alaafin of Oyo only? Ka ka ki kinihun se akapo ekun, olukaluku yoo ma se ode ti e loto to.”
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It reaffirms commitment to the rotational order unveiled in 2011 during the administration of late Governor Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, warning each should rather hunt separately.
“We are standing by the precedent laid down by the former governor of Oyo state, Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, which approved the rotational chairmanship of the council among the paramount rulers in Oyo state (Olubadan of Ibadan, Soun of Ogbomoso, and Alaafin of Oyo), anything outside this would not be welcomed by Ogbomoso.
“Ka ka ki kinihun se akapo ekun, olukaluku yoo ma se ode ti e loto to. Thank you for your good understanding.”
