A group, Ebedi Frontliners of Iseyin, has called on the Oyo State government to include the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola Adeyeri, as a co-chairman of the State’s Traditional Rulers Council.
The call followed the ongoing amendment to the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs Laws, Cap.37, pending before the State House of Assembly.
The group also lauded the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration for what it called democratisation of the state’s chieftaincy laws, saying the legislative exercise would give more roles to the traditional rulers.
Public Relations Officer of the group, Alhaji Segun Fasasi, stated that the Bill in question listed the Alaafin as the chairman of the State’s Traditional Rulers Council while Olubadan and Soun of Ogbomoso are co-chairmen.
They pointed out the fact that Alaafin is representing the interests of four local government areas in Oyo land, Soun of Ogbomoso represents the interests of five local government areas of Ogbomoso land while Olubadan represents the interests of 11 local government areas of Ibadan land, leaving Oke-Ogun area with 10 local government areas with no co-chairmanship slot.
“We have followed the process of the amendment of The Council of Obas and Chiefs Law, Cap.37, Laws of Oyo State and have realized that the proposed amendment that has reached a second reading in the floors of Oyo State House of Assembly is seeking to democratise the Chieftaincy Laws and give more impetus to the developmental efforts of traditional rulers in the state.
“We thus want to call the attention of Governor Seyi Makinde, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. ‘Debo Ogundoyin and other stakeholders involved in this historic journey, to think about the ten local government areas in Oke-Ogun, with over thirty-five beaded crowns, to be considered for representation in the co-chairmanship role, while Aseyin of Iseyin will be considered as the third co-chairman due to his long historical experience,” they prayed.
The Council of Obas and Chiefs Law, Cap. 37, Laws of Oyo State, 2000, initially placed the Alaafin of Oyo as the permanent chairman, giving him the authority to convene and preside over meetings, while directing council affairs before it was amended to include Soun of Ogbomoso and Olubadan.
