Crisis Brews In Oyo Assembly As Lawmakers Walk Out Over Oba Council Bill

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The bill, which had generated intense controversy among traditional rulers and stakeholders across the state, was approved during the plenary session after the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours, Bamidele Adeola, presented the committee’s report.

Two lawmakers staged a dramatic walkout on Tuesday as the Oyo State House of Assembly passed an amended bill reinstating a rotational chairmanship for the Council of Obas and Chiefs among the state’s three foremost monarchs.

The bill, which had generated intense controversy among traditional rulers and stakeholders across the state, was approved during the plenary session after the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours, Bamidele Adeola, presented the committee’s report.

In a key reversal from the initial proposal, the Assembly resolved that the chairmanship position of the council would rotate between the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland, each serving a two-year term.

The original version of the bill had sought to make the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman, assigning concurrent roles to the Olubadan and the Soun in order of traditional hierarchy during the Alaafin’s absence.

However, this sparked widespread backlash, especially from the Olubadan and the Soun, who jointly demanded a return to the previously agreed rotational leadership.

Responding to the pressure, the Assembly committee recommended replacing the permanent chairmanship clause with a rotational system and removing the presiding officer role initially reserved for the Alaafin.

The amended bill also proposed expanding the membership of the Council to include the 10 beaded crown-wearing Ibadan Obas, as well as Samu and Agbakin — a move that has drawn mixed reactions. 

While some stakeholders lauded the inclusion as inclusive, others — particularly some traditional rulers — criticised it as politically motivated and potentially disruptive.

Despite the dissenting voices and the lawmakers’ walkout, the bill was passed and is expected to be transmitted to the state governor for assent.

Meanwhile, tension flared at the Oyo State House of Assembly as lawmakers representing Oyo East and Atiba constituencies, Olorunpoto Rahman and Gbenga Oyekola, staged a walkout in protest against the proposed rotational clause in the Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendment) Bill 2025.

Speaking to journalists after leaving the chamber, Rahman criticised the process and content of the bill, saying, “We should be guided by the truth in whatever law we make. Everyone knows the position of the Alaafin. We are not out of touch with history. Alaafin is a paramount ruler. We should not make a law for political convenience but one that aligns with history and can stand the test of time.”

Rahman further expressed dismay over the lack of public engagement, accusing the committee of sidelining key voices.

 “There was neither a public hearing nor stakeholder engagement. No one from Oyo was invited to contribute to this bill. I have serious issues with that,” he added.

Echoing similar concerns, the Palace of the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon condemned the bill in a statement issued by Bisi Oladele, Media Consultant to the Olugbon, Oba Francis Alao. 

The palace described the bill as a politically motivated document, flawed by inadequate consultation and a lack of transparency.
“For a bill of such importance, traditional rulers should have been fully engaged. The ongoing process disregards their relevance and appears to be driven by political patronage,” the statement read.

The palace warned that the amendment risks deepening political imbalance in the state, particularly favouring Ibadan over other regions such as Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, and Ibarapa.

“If passed, the bill would further entrench Ibadan’s dominance. Since 1999, except for the late Adebayo Alao-Akala, governors have emerged only from Ibadan. While reviving the council is necessary, it must not be manipulated to marginalise other zones. The bill should promote fairness, equity, and peace among monarchs,” the statement added.

Olugbon, Oba Francis Alao, called for the suspension of the bill to allow for wider consultation, cautioning that its passage in its current form could spark unrest among traditional institutions in the state.

He also rejected claims by some Ogbomoso leaders that their town holds greater historical weight in the Obas Council.

 According to him, if historical significance were the sole criterion, the Olugbon throne would rank above the Soun of Ogbomoso.

“We must remember the current Soun’s palace sits on land within Olugbon’s domain. Orile-Igbon, which borders Ijeru, predates Ogbomoso historically. But demographic strength has favoured Ogbomoso politically, and traditional rulers in the zone have accepted this for administrative convenience,” he said.
Oba Alao also reaffirmed the stature of the Alaafin, insisting the revered monarch deserves the permanent chairmanship of the council.
“Where is Soun’s kingdom? Where is Olubadan’s kingdom? Alaafin presided over a vast kingdom with many subordinate domains. We acknowledge that times have changed, but the respect due to great thrones must be preserved,” he added.  


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