The Oyo State House of Assembly has reversed its decision to pass the amendment to the Chieftaincy Law.
The amendment aimed to make the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs.
The House resolved that the chairmanship position should be rotated among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland.
This was after deliberation on the recommendation of its Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters. The bill to amend the law was passed after a third reading at the plenary on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
The Oyo Assembly also approved the appointment of the 13 council chairmen, including the Otun and Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Hon. Olorunpoto Rahman disagrees…
However, lawmakers from Oyo East, Hon. Olorunpoto Rahman, and Atiba Constituencies, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola, did not agree with the House resolution.
The two lawmakers staged a walkout while the House deliberated on the committee’s recommendation.
While speaking with newsmen, Hon. Rahman said, “Alaafin is a paramount ruler. We should not make laws for political convenience. We should make a law that can stand the test of time. We should make a law that aligns with history.
“We are not satisfied with the process that the committee walked through. There was neither a public hearing nor a stakeholders’ engagement. There is no instance where they invited anyone from Oyo to come and speak on this bill. I have serious issues with that.”
