Oyo state Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has on Thursday inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs. He appointed the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja as chairman of the council for a period of 2 years.
The appointment of the Council of Obas and Chiefs follows the passing into law, the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025 by the state House of Assembly, which was signed into law by the governor.
Oyo House of Assembly had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law. This amendment makes the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
During the inauguration on Thursday Governor Makinde stated that he had consulted with the Olubadan, Soun and Alaafin. The trio agreed that the chairmanship should commence with the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Seyi Makinde noted that the Olubadan will head the Council for two years after which either Alaafin or Soun will take over.
Seyi Makinde’ words,
“We signed the law passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly.
I signed it on the 14th of August, 2025. And let me say this, the law may not be perfect. You may make changes as you deem fit. That is why the House of Assembly exists. If the reality, further down the line, shows that one or two amendments are necessary and there is consensus. Why not? Because the lawmakers are there and it is their work,” he stated.
“I consulted the Alaafin of Oyo; the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomoso. And the agreement we reached is that they will start the rotation with the Kabiyesi Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“So, on that basis, I hereby pronounce the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs inaugurated.”
On his part the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Ademola Ojo, commended the Governor for the inauguration of the Council as it brings government closer to the people.
He said,
“Let me first of all thank the Executive Governor of Oyo State for working so hard to get this Council back into service. It is not an easy job. Even though he said it is not an achievement, I say it is an achievement.
“I remember the last meeting was early in the reign of my dear brother, late Abiola Ajimobi. And after that meeting, there was no more meeting, because one of the Obas went to court.
“So, I commend the effort put into place by the Governor to get it reorganized and standing again. Kudos to him.
“The Governor has told you that through consultations, we can achieve more. We are closer to the people. People normally trust us because they know that we are not partisan. We are not going to stand for elections, so there is nothing we can tell them, which they will not believe because they know that we are not asking for votes.
“The only thing that we want is that our domains should be safe, our domains should make progress, our domains must be conducive to all of us living. We want our children to be educated. We want light, we want water, and we want good roads.”