Oyo Assembly Faces Mounting Opposition Over Chieftaincy Amendment Bill

The Oyo State House of Assembly is under increasing pressure following its recent passage of the Chieftaincy Amendment Bill, as protest letters and petitions continue to flood the Speaker’s office.

The controversial bill, passed last Tuesday, seeks to introduce a rotational chairmanship for the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, alternating every two years between the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland. The bill followed a report by the House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters, and State Honours, chaired by Vice Chairman Bamidele Adeola.

However, The PUNCH has exclusively learned that as of Friday, Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin had yet to transmit the bill to Governor Seyi Makinde for assent—largely due to growing backlash from traditional stakeholders across the state.

An insider within the Assembly confirmed that petitions and protest letters continued to arrive throughout the week, raising concerns over the bill’s perceived shortcomings and disregard for longstanding traditional systems. “The Assembly has played its part,” the source noted, “but unless the governor withholds assent and returns the bill for amendment, the House cannot revisit it.”

One of the most vocal opponents is the Afijio Local Government Traditional Council, which issued a formal protest through its solicitor, Olajide Olanipekun. The council urged the governor to withhold assent, citing a lack of fairness, equity, and adherence to traditional norms.

The statement criticised the bill’s failure to accurately represent local government areas in the state chieftaincy structure and took particular issue with the exclusive recognition of the Akibio of Ilora as a permanent member of the State Council of Obas.

“The chairmanship of Afijio Traditional Council has always rotated among several rulers,” the statement said, listing traditional leaders from Fiditi, Akinmorin, Awe, Imini, Iware, and Jobele. “The Akibio is neither the current chairman nor entitled to permanent representation.”

The council warned that the bill, if enacted in its current form, could face legal challenges for violating the long-standing rotational arrangements that have preserved peace and stability in Afijio.

“We urge Your Excellency to return the bill for proper reenactment to include Afijio’s traditional leadership structure,” the statement concluded.