Alaafin Absent As Makinde Inaugurates Oba Ladoja Chairman Council Of Obas

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, was absent yesterday as Governor Seyi Makinde inaugurated the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, as the new chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs

The governor made the pronouncement at a brief event held at the House of Chiefs, Agodi, Ibadan.

The governor explained that the chairmanship would be rotational among the trio of Olubadan, Alaafin of Oyo, and Soun of Ogbomoso-land, with a two-year term for each.

The council, which had been inactive for 15 years before being reconvened, is to serve as an advisory body to promote peace, resolve conflict, preserve culture and contribute to policy formulation in the state.

Oba Ladoja was appointed chairman of the council for a two-year tenure, in line with a prior agreement reached among the three foremost traditional rulers in the state, the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomoso to rotate the chairmanship.

Although the Alaafin of Oyo is designated as a co-chairman of the council under the arrangement, he was absent from the inauguration, a development that drew attention at the event attended by top government officials and traditional rulers.

In his address before inaugurating the council, Makinde explained that the inauguration was not an achievement but a necessity as the council would help promote better synergy between government and the traditional institution.

The governor also acknowledged that he had met with the three imperial majesties: the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, and they had agreed to rotate the chairmanship with a 2-year term of office.

Makinde said the reconstitution of the Council of Obas and Chiefs was not a political achievement but a necessity for effective governance. He stressed that traditional institutions remain central to peace, stability and grassroots development in Oyo State.

Makinde explained that extensive consultations were held with the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, before the rotational chairmanship arrangement was agreed upon.

“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,” the governor said.

“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. We agreed that the rotation would begin with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and on that basis, I hereby inaugurate the council with the Olubadan as chairman for two years.”

The governor expressed concern that a state with a strong history of leadership had operated without a functional council for over a decade, describing the situation as unhealthy for governance and cultural cohesion.

“For 15 years, we have not had a council of Obas and Chiefs. What we had was an ad-hoc arrangement. Governance is more effective when traditional institutions are properly structured and strengthened,” Makinde added.

He further disclosed that the law establishing the council was passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly and signed into law on August 14, 2025, providing the legal framework for its reconstitution.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, described the inauguration as a significant step in reaffirming the relevance of traditional rulers as custodians of culture, moral authority and communal harmony.

According to him, traditional institutions have continued to play vital roles in peace-building and grassroots development, complementing government policies and programmes.

“This council last existed in 2011. Its re-inauguration underscores the commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to strengthening collaboration between government and traditional institutions,” Ojo said.

In his remarks after the inauguration, Oba Ladoja assured residents that the council would prioritise unity, peace and development, stressing that the task ahead required cooperation rather than rivalry among traditional rulers.

“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,” the Olubadan said.