Tension As Oyo Monarchs Reject Move to Make Alaafin Permanent Council Chair, Give Reason
- The bill seeking to make the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, the permanent chairman of the traditional council, has scaled a second reading at the Oyo State House of Assembly
- However, Oyo state monarchs, in a joint statement, have kicked against the move and as well rejected the bill
- The leaders affirmed that the move is a distortion of tradition and a threat to the unity of royal institutions in Oyo state
TheTalk.NG journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
Ibadan, Oyo state – Traditional leaders and stakeholders from Ibadanland and Ogbomosoland have strongly opposed a proposed legal amendment by the Oyo State House of Assembly seeking to make the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, the permanent chairman of the state’s Council of Obas and Chiefs.
The official coronation of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.
Photo credit: @Otunba_OgunwuyiSource: Twitter
Bill naming Alaafin permanent chair of Oyo Obas’ Council
In a joint statement issued on Monday, May 19, in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, and signed by Mogajis, Baales, monarchs, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, the Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiative, prominent sons and daughters of Ibadanland, and Mogajis from the Soun Ruling Houses of Ogbomoso.
The bill to amend the chieftaincy law, which would establish the Alaafin as the permanent chairman of the council, passed its second reading on the floor of the Oyo Assembly last Thursday.
Ibadan, Ogbomoso monarchs explained why Alaafin should not be made the permanent chairman of traditional council.
Photo credit: @dira_afrikSource: Twitter
As reported by The Punch, the traditional leaders and stakeholders condemned the amendment, describing it as a distortion of historical tradition and an affront to other royal institutions in the state.
“The chairmanship of the council has always been rotational and should remain so to reflect fairness and equity among all royal stools in the state,” the statement emphasised.
President of the Ibadan Mogajis, Asimiyu Ariori, and ICPI Coordinator, Nurudeen Akinade, reiterated that their opposition was rooted in historical precedent and a desire to ensure unity and peace across the state.
They warned the House against creating unnecessary tension, urging lawmakers to respect tradition and uphold the rotational leadership model for the Council of Obas and Chiefs.
“The respect we have for the immediate past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, was because of his relationship with the traditional institutions and some distinguished personalities in Ibadanland,” they said.
“We respected and honoured Oba Adeyemi’s age and wisdom. He spent over 50 years on the throne before his demise, yet he never disrespected the Ibadan people. The current Alaafin should tread softly.”
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Tinubu opens up on locating Alaafin of Oyo
Meanwhile, TheTalk.NG reported that President Bola Tinubu has recalled how he wanted to put a call through to the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, over the location of the then Alaafin of Oyo-designate.
The president commented while playing host to the newly inaugurated Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, at the presidential villa in Abuja on Friday, May 16.
Tinubu explained that the monarch created a tension when he was first elected to be monarch, and then he returned to Canada.
Source: TheTalk.NG
