Alaafin Missing as Olubadan Emerges Chairman of Oyo Council of Obas, 15 Years After

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, was noticeably absent on Thursday as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, emerged chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs following its formal inauguration by Governor Seyi Makinde.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the House of Chiefs, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, marked the reconvening of the council after 15 years of inactivity. The council last met in 2011 and had since operated in an ad-hoc manner without a formally constituted leadership.

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 Ogbomosho  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.

Speaking before inaugurating the council, Governor 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 Ogbomosho, 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.

He noted that the council would serve as an advisory body on peace and security, conflict resolution, cultural preservation, policy formulation and community development across the state.

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.

“Our responsibility is collective — to ensure our communities are peaceful and that Oyo State continues to move forward.”