Council of Obas: Oyo Assembly bows to pressure, ditches permanent chairmanship
Khalid ABRAHAM
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The Oyo State House of Assembly has succumbed to pressure as it passed the amendment to the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs Law, at its third reading, making the chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan, and the Soun of Ogbomoso.
However it’s gathered two lawmakers from Oyo constituencies staged a walkout feeling discontented about the unfolding decision.
The decision reflected the agitations by various interests against bestowing the permanent chairmanship in Alaafin. The preponderant of clamour was in favour rotational chairmanship among Alaafin, Olubadan and Soun.
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Heads (Mogajis) of ruling houses in Ogbomoso and Ibadan as well as socio-cultural organisations like the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes CCII and Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaaye and other community stakeholders stood vehemently against the earlier proposal demanding the position be made rotational on the basis of the current reality of traditional status in the state.
The third reading at the plenary session Tuesday saw the House Committee on the Review of the Council of Obas and Chiefs Law submitting its report proposing a new rotational chairmanship order among the trio of Alaafin, Olubadan and Soun, on a two-year term, thereby expunging the permanent presiding officer role initially vested in the Alaafin.
The session led by the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, thoroughly considered the future of traditional leadership in the state with the Assembly in the end aligning with the diverse voices by adopting a rotational system that ensures inclusivity and representation.
House members vented a range of opinions, underlining the importance of equitable leadership among the state’s revered traditional rulers with many articulating the need for a system that honours the historical significance of each position that will foster collaboration among the Obas.
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However this did not go down well with two lawmakers from Oyo, Rahaman Olorunpoto and Gbenga Oyekola, Oyo East/Oyo West and Atiba State Constituencies, thus they staged a walkout.
Meanwhile, the committee also recommended that the Samu and Agbaakin (of Oyo) should be included as members of the Council of Obas and Chiefs.
