KEY POINTS

• The Alaafin, Olubadan and Soun must take turns leading the city, according to the bill.
• It passed even though two lawmakers left in protest.
• Critics believe the bill does not refer to past history and involved enough people in its creation.

The Oyo State House of Assembly has given the go-ahead to a bill that creates a system where the chairmanship of the Council of Obas and Chiefs rotates.

From now on, the position of Balogun will pass among the Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadanland and Soun of Ogbomosoland.

After Adeola presented the report at a plenary session on Tuesday, the choice was made by the House.

A bill causing much controversy

Debates about the bill became heated between traditional rulers and other stakeholders after it passed its second reading a week ago. There were people in Ibadanland and Ogbomosoland who opposed the reform, but some felt it was a good thing.

After facing some opposition, the bill managed to pass its third and final reading on Tuesday. Besides endorsing the new chairmanships, the House also approved 13 council chairman appointments, including the Otun and Osi Olubadans for Ibadanland.

Members of congress make a statement

Notably, Olorunpoto Rahman from Oyo East and Gbenga Oyekola from Atiba decided to walk out during the debate about the monarchs’ chairmanship.

According to Rahman, speaking to journalists, the approach taken by Malaysia does not include enough transparency and does not connect to the nation’s history.

Truth should determine the laws that we make. Everyone is aware of who the Alaafin is. He is a supreme leader. It appears that political reasons are guiding this law, rather than any regard for history, according to Rahman.

He said that the project did not include any public hearing or consultation with the people of Oyo town.

Traditional rulers are opposing the laws concerning the monarchs’ chairmanship

In Ibadan on Monday, a collection of Ibadanland and Ogbomosoland stakeholders made a joint statement opposing the bill.

Among the list of people who signed were Mogajis, Baales, monarchs, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, the Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiative and several important figures in both areas.

They opposed offering the Alaafin an ongoing chairmanship, saying it would damage the nation’s past and cause inequality among groups.