Yoruba Nation’s activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, yesterday, intervened in the festering controversy over the rotational chairmanship position of Oyo Council of Obas between the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Laoye Ghandi.

He noted that it is “unimpressive for the prominent traditional rulers, whose stools were germane to the historical evolution of Yoruba, to dissipate energy on crisis over positions, saying all monarchs should collaborate to tackle insecurity plaguing the Yorubaland and push the development agenda for the South-West.”

In a statement forwarded to journalists, Igboho also rallied Yoruba leadership, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, to douse the seeming tension generated by Oyo Council of Obas’ permanent chairmanship.

Recall that the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had, last Thursday, inaugurated a new Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs in Ibadan, the state capital, whose permanent chairmanship will be rotated between Olubadan, Alaafin, and Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Laoye Ghandi.

The inauguration, held at the House of Chiefs Hall, State Secretariat, Ibadan, was boycotted by Oba Owoade, with Oba Ladoja emerging as the inaugural chairman of the council for a two-year term.

Makinde, who stated that the inauguration followed the passage of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the Oyo State House of Assembly, targeted at strengthening traditional institutions in the state, was carried out after wide consultation.

But Alaafin had reportedly denied any interface with the governor over the matter. However, in response to the development, Igboho noted that old empires in Yorubaland have given way to modern traditional institutions, without distorting historical facts, and advised Oba Owoade, who is reportedly contemplating legal action, to cooperate with the Oyo State government. (The Guardian)

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