Alaafin Absents As Olubadan Emerges Chairman Of Oyo Council Of Obas, Chiefs After 15 Years
•By OYENIYI KAZEEM
IBADAN – THE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, was absent on Thursday as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, emerged chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs following its inauguration by Governor Seyi Makinde.
The inauguration, which took place at the House of Chiefs, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, marked the reconvening of the council after 15 years of inactivity.
Oba Ladoja was appointed chairman of the council for a two-year tenure, in line with an earlier agreement by the three foremost traditional rulers in the state to rotate the chairmanship.
Naijanewshub Reporter who covered the event report that although the Alaafin of Oyo is a co-chairman of the council, he was noticeably absent from the inauguration ceremony.
Speaking before inaugurating the council, Governor Makinde said the reconstitution of the council was not an achievement but a necessity, stressing that the traditional institution remains critical to peace, stability and development in the state.
He explained that he had met with the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, and that they unanimously agreed to a rotational chairmanship arrangement with a two-year tenure.
Makinde said: “The Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs last met in 2011. For close to seven years since this administration came into office, the easiest thing would have been to encourage division. But we chose unity because many of our achievements can be traced to the support of our traditional institutions.
“No matter how difficult an issue is, we always resolve it with my three fathers – the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomosho. We agreed that the rotation would begin with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and on that basis, I hereby inaugurate the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs with the Olubadan as chairman for two years.”
The governor lamented that a state reputed for leadership had operated without a functional council for over a decade.
“For 15 years, we have not had a council of Obas and Chiefs. Without a council, what we have is an ad-hoc arrangement, which has been the case since 2011. Governance is more effective when traditional institutions are properly structured and strengthened,” he said.
Makinde also revealed that the law establishing the council was passed by the State House of Assembly and signed into law on August 14, 2025.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, described the inauguration as a testament to the enduring relevance of traditional institutions as custodians of culture, values and communal harmony.
Ojo said traditional rulers had remained pillars of peace, moral authority and grassroots development, complementing government efforts across the state.
“This council last existed in 2011. Its re-inauguration underscores the commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to strengthen collaboration between government and traditional institutions.
“Governance is most effective when modern administration works hand in hand with time-honoured traditional leadership,” he said.
He added that the council would serve as an advisory body on peace-building, conflict resolution, cultural preservation, policy formulation and community development.
In his remarks after the inauguration, Oba Ladoja assured residents of the council’s commitment to peace, unity and development across the state.
“This inauguration is not an achievement; it is the beginning of work. We are not in competition with one another, and we are not here to pursue personal interests. Our focus is to ensure that our domains are safe and peaceful and that Oyo State continues to make progress,” he said.
According to the Olubadan, the council is about collective responsibility and cooperation for the good of the state.
“This is not about any individual. It is about bringing people together and working together for the good of all,” he added.