A major dispute has erupted among the three foremost traditional rulers in Oyo State — the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadan, and the Soun of Ogbomoso — over a proposed amendment to the state’s traditional rulers’ council structure.
The controversy, rooted in a longstanding rivalry dating back to the old Western Region era, has resurfaced following the Oyo State House of Assembly’s consideration of a bill that seeks to restructure the leadership of the Council of Obas and Chiefs.
The bill proposes to make the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman of the council, while assigning the deputy chairmanship to the Olubadan of Ibadan and the vice chairmanship to the Soun of Ogbomoso.
The move has been fiercely resisted by the Ibadan traditional establishment. Last week, a coalition of Ibadan leaders including Obas, Mogajis (lineage heads), Baales, and members of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiative (ICPI) publicly rejected the proposal. Speaking on behalf of the Olubadan, they called for a rotational leadership system, arguing that it would ensure equity and mutual respect among the major traditional stools in the state.
In a similar vein, representatives of the Soun Ruling Houses of Ogbomoso voiced their opposition on Monday, condemning the proposed amendment as a misrepresentation of historical tradition and a slight to the dignity of traditional institutions.
They emphasized that the chairmanship had always been rotational, and warned against attempts to disrupt a system that had preserved balance and fairness.
As debates around the bill intensify, the leadership question remains a sensitive issue capable of further deepening divides among the state’s foremost monarchs.
Read Also: Oyo Obas Council: Ogbomoso mogajis reject Alaafin’s permanent chairmanship
They said: “Mogajis from Ogbomoso in their large numbers, together with Ibadan Mogajis, were this morning (yesterday) at the Oyo State House of Assembly.
“The respect we have for the immediate past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, was as a result of his relationship with the traditional institution and some of the distinguished personalities in Ibadanland.
“We respected and honored Oba Adeyemi’s age, as well as his brain, haven’t spent over 50 years on the throne before his demise, yet, he never disrespected Ibadan people, so, this current Alaafin should thread softly.”
This age-old power struggle, which previously stalled council operations, has resurfaced under the newly installed monarchs: Oba Abdulakeem Owoade, Alaafin of Oyo (installed April 16, 2025); Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Olubadan of Ibadanland (crowned July 12, 2024); and Oba Ghandi Laoye, Soun of Ogbomoso (crowned December 19, 2023).
The current dispute stems from an executive bill before the Oyo State House of Assembly seeking to restore the Alaafin as the permanent chairman of the traditional council—a position that has historically been contested.
Following the 1991 creation of Osun State, which moved the Ooni of Ife outside Oyo’s jurisdiction, the state government had proposed a new leadership structure granting the Alaafin permanent chairmanship, with the Olubadan and Soun as co-chairmen. That arrangement quickly collapsed as both the Olubadan and Soun rejected it, insisting on a rotational leadership model to ensure fairness.
This disagreement led to a prolonged stalemate, with the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, boycotting council meetings, effectively rendering the body inactive.
Now, history appears to be repeating itself. On May 15, the Oyo Assembly passed the Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025 through its second reading. The bill seeks to abolish rotational leadership and reinstate the Alaafin as the permanent head of the council. It has been referred to the House Committee on Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours for further review and stakeholder consultations before a third reading.
If passed and signed by Governor Seyi Makinde, the proposed law would permanently vest council leadership in the Alaafin. The Olubadan and Soun would serve as first and second deputies, respectively, with a succession order for presiding over meetings in the event of the Alaafin’s absence.
The bill, which seeks to amend the Council of Obas and Chiefs Law, Cap. 37, Laws of Oyo State 2000, effectively reverses reforms introduced in 2011 under Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, which implemented the rotational system.
Supporters of the amendment argue that reinstating the Alaafin’s permanent chairmanship would bring structure, stability, and historical continuity to the traditional council.
However, opposition voices are growing louder.
Asimiyu Ariori, President of the Ibadan Mogajis, and Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade, Coordinator of the Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiative (ICPI), have condemned the bill.
In a joint statement, they described the move as a break from tradition that would breed disunity across the state.
The statement reads: “Mogajis from Ogbomoso in their large numbers, together with Ibadan Mogajis, were this morning at the Oyo State House of Assembly.
“The respect we have for the immediate past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, was as a result of his relationship with the traditional institution and some of the distinguished personalities in Ibadanland.
“We respected and honored Oba Adeyemi’s age, as well as his brain, having spent over 50 years on the throne before his demise. Yet, he never disrespect Ibadan people. So, this current Alaafin should thread softly.
“The Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, last Saturday at the grand finale of 2025 Ibadan week received an award of “Most Outstanding Friend of Ibadan”, and all members of the House were also present at the event, including the Deputy Speaker. This speaks volumes.”
