JUST-IN: Alaafin Absent As Makinde Inaugurates Council Of Obas

Governor Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, inaugurated a new Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs with its chairmanship to be rotated among three foremost monarchs in the State.

The inauguration was held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Arusa 1, has emerged the inaugural chairman of the council for a two-year term.

However, one of the prominent traditional rulers in the State, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, was conspicuously absent at the inauguration.

Recall that the Oyo State House of Assembly had passed the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, which aims to improve traditional leadership in the state.

The bill retains the rotational chairmanship system, with the position alternating every two years among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland.

Oba Ladoja, a seasoned politician and former Oyo State governor, was crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland in September 2025, succeeding the late Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.