By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the Council of Obas and Chiefs Further Amendment Bill 2025, introducing a major reform in the traditional leadership structure of the state.
The latest passage of the bill followed an earlier amendment of the bill.
Tuesday’s passage came after the consideration of a report submitted by the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the plenary, presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin.
The further amendment is a follow-up to long-standing calls from stakeholders for greater inclusivity and equitable representation among traditional rulers across the state’s geopolitical zones.
The initial amendment which was done in May retained rotational chairmanship system between three foremost monarchs including the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and Soun of Ogbomoso.
But, the Further Amendment allows for the expansion of the Council across the seven zones.
The lawmakers applauded the report, particularly the Clause 5 of section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law which was amended to enable Chairmanship and Deputy chairmanship to be rotated across the geo-political zones of Oyo State.
The change now allows for the rotation of the Chairmanship and Deputy chairmanship of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs across the seven geopolitical zones.
The lawmakers unanimously supported the move, emphasizing that it would enhance inclusiveness, foster unity, and promote stronger traditional leadership practices across the state.
Deliberating after the report was presented, the lawmakers in their separate remarks lauded the committee’s work, which, according to them addressed historical concerns about the concentration of power in specific regions.
The lawmakers also agreed that the passage of the bill will enable traditional leaders to play certain leadership roles in the affairs of traditional institutions in the state.
Corenews reports that, earlier in May, the lawmakers yielded to superior arguments, by passing the bill retaining the rotational Chairmanship clause of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in the state.
The lawmakers also expanded the membership of the Council in the state, reflecting a more inclusive leadership structure within the state’s traditional institutions.
With the development, the House affirmed the rotational chairmanship system, ensuring that leadership alternates among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the Soun of Ogbomoso every two years.
This measure, according to the lawmakers is aimed at strengthening unity among the state’s foremost traditional rulers and ensuring balanced representation within the Council.
Additionally, the membership of the Council of Obas and Chiefs was expanded from 35 to 41, incorporating more traditional rulers from different regions of the state.
Among the newly added members are: the Olu of Igboora, the Onilala of Lanlate, and the Alado of Ado-Awaye, as well as rotational representatives from various local governments.
The amendments also included provisions for deputy chairmanship and vice chairmanship, further structuring the leadership of the Council.
Under the revised Schedule II, deputy chairmanship positions are designated for the Eleruwa of Eruwa, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, and the Aseyin of Iseyin, among others on a rotational basis.
