Why Onisapa deserves inclusion in Oyo Obas’ Council – Ruling House
Jeremiah OYELEKE
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The Onisapa of Isapa Royal Family in Ogbomoso South local government area has re-affirmed that the Onisapa institution is eminently qualified for inclusion in the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
This claim is contained in a statement signed by the secretary of the Onisapa Royal Family Prince Kola Gbemisoye and made available to ogbomosoinsightonline.com.
Recall the Oyo State House of Assembly recently reviewed the Law of the Obas’ Council concluding the process with retention of rotational chairmanship among the trio of Soun, Alaafin and Olubadan, re-classification of deputy and vice chairmanship structures and inclusion of new members making a new total of 41.
The Amendment Bill presently awaits Governor Seyi Makinde’s assent which will make it a law.
The Onisapa Royal Family has however staked a claim to membership of the esteemed body citing among others its status as a founding member of the Ogbomoso realm and designation as a First Class traditional ruler since 2005.
The letter reads in part, “We commend the recent amendment to the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs Law by the indefatigable Oyo State House of Assembly under the leadership of the ebbulient Rt. Hon Adebo Ogundoyin. We also salute the courage of Hon Sanjo Adedoyin the Majority Leader representing Ogbomoso South Local Government.
“However, we are dissatisfied that the Onisapa of Isapa was excluded from the membership of the new Obas’ Council. We are eminently qualified and highly deserving of the honour.”
It gives its reasons, “Firstly, our progenitor His Highness Orisatolu was the third settler in the realm that transformed into Ogbomoso an important component of not only Oyo State but Nigeria. Orisatolu was thus a founding member of Ogbomoso. The Orisatolu stool is today designated Onisapa of Isapa Kingdom in Ogbomoso South Local Government.
“In the wars fought by Ogbomoso and its allies to protect Yorubaland Isapa people actively participated. The Soun and Aale have deservedly been made members we are requesting that Onisapa also be so honoured.
“Recall also that 20 years ago in 2005 during the administration of Governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Onisapa was classified a First Class Oba and subsequently gazetted. We now wonder why we are omitted in Obas’ Council list when several below our status and contemporaries were included.
“Onisapa continues to make significant contributions in different facets in the present time, economically and in sustenance of peace. Araada Market in Ogbomoso belonging to Onisapa is a large thriving economic hub that promotes businesses, provides economic sustenance to hundreds of thousands of people and feed them. Onisapa has also been proving a stabilising factor in Ogbomoso zone and is an excellent mediator and peace architect.
“We are taking up roles that transcend our status and we believe putting us in the Council will amount to doing justice to history and will further motivate us to do more.”
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The statement therefore appeals to the governor, Engr Makinde not to grant assent and to ask that the omission be corrected just as the House of Assembly was pleaded with to reconsider the proposal.
Ogbomoso Insight reports that Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaaye in a statement also made case for the inclusion of Onisapa and some other traditional rulers in Ogbomoso zone in the Obas’ Council list submitting this would correct the obvious imbalances.
Previously too the Onisapa Royal Family made the same plea through media statements emphasizing why it deserves inclusion.
