Oyo Assembly passes rotational leadership bill for council of Obas and Chiefs

The Oyo State House of Assembly has passed a landmark bill instituting a rotational leadership system for the state’s Council of Obas and Chiefs, signaling a significant shift in traditional governance.

Under the new law, the chairmanship of the council will now alternate every two years among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland.

This legislative action, intended to promote inclusivity and balanced representation within the traditional leadership structure, comes after intense debates and notable opposition, particularly from representatives of Oyo town.

During Tuesday’s plenary session, two lawmakers, Olorunpoto Rahman (Oyo East) and Gbenga Oyekola (Atiba), staged a walkout in protest.

Rahman sharply criticized the process, alleging that the committee failed to conduct public hearings or consult stakeholders from Oyo, thereby neglecting the historical significance of the Alaafin’s traditional role.

 “Rahman criticized the process, stating that the committee failed to conduct public hearings or consult stakeholders from Oyo, thereby neglecting the historical significance of the Alaafin’s role.”

The passage of the bill follows earlier proposals to make the Alaafin the permanent chairman of the Council, which had faced considerable backlash from traditional leaders and communities in Ibadan land and Ogbomosho land.

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These groups had argued that a permanent chairmanship would marginalize other significant monarchs and disrupt the established balance of traditional authority within the state.

In addition to the rotational chairmanship, the Assembly has also expanded the Council’s membership from 35 to 41, incorporating more traditional rulers from various regions to further enhance inclusivity.

The new structure also introduces deputy and vice-chairmanship positions, aimed at further distributing leadership roles within the Council.

While these legislative changes are designed to foster unity among Oyo State’s traditional rulers and ensure broader representation, the visible dissent from representatives of Oyo town suggests that debates over historical precedence and traditional authority may continue in the state.