In a significant move to restore traditional governance structures, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has officially revived the state's Council of Obas and Chiefs, ending a 15-year period of inactivity. The historic event saw the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, inaugurated as the council's pioneer chairman under a newly established rotational leadership system.
A New Era for Traditional Leadership
The inauguration ceremony took place at the House of Chiefs within the Parliament Building in the state Secretariat, Ibadan. Governor Makinde announced that the council's chairmanship would now rotate among the three foremost monarchs in Oyo State: the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Alaafin of Oyo, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland. Each traditional ruler will serve a term of two years.
Governor Makinde explained that this rotational model was carefully designed to promote unity, mutual respect, and cooperation among the state's paramount traditional institutions. He emphasized that it would allow each royal father to contribute meaningfully to governance and development initiatives across Oyo State. The agreement among the trio was for the rotation to commence with the Olubadan, leading to Oba Ladoja's emergence as the first chairman.
The governor recalled that the council last convened in 2011, describing its prolonged dormancy as unhealthy for a pioneering state like Oyo. He stressed the critical role traditional rulers play in maintaining peace, aiding governance, and providing grassroots intelligence.
Olubadan's Call for Unity and Responsibility
In his acceptance speech, Oba Rashidi Ladoja framed the inauguration not as an accomplishment, but as the beginning of a serious responsibility. He urged residents to have confidence in the council's mandate and clarified its purpose. The Olubadan firmly stated that the council was not created to foster rivalry or personal ambitions among traditional rulers.
He expressed confidence that public trust would grow after the council's first official sitting, as people would see members were united in common purpose, not in competition. Oba Ladoja outlined the council's primary responsibility: to champion peace and safety within their respective domains while contributing to the overall progress and stability of Oyo State.
The event was notably marked by the absence of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade.
Olubadan Declares War on Land Grabbers in Ibadan
In a related development, Oba Ladoja has issued a stern warning, declaring that hard times await land grabbers who are tarnishing Ibadan's reputation. The monarch made this declaration at the Olubadan Palace in Oke Aremo, Ibadan, while inaugurating a special five-member committee of legal practitioners.
This committee is tasked with tackling the pervasive problem of land grabbing from a legal perspective. Its members are:
- Niyi Akintola (SAN)
- Musibau Adetunbi (SAN)
- Yinka Okunade
- Rahman Abiodun AbdulRaheem
- Tunji Thomas
Oba Ladoja charged the committee to co-opt professionals from any relevant field—including town planning, surveying, security agencies, and the judiciary—who could assist in the fight. He described land grabbing as a complex web of interconnected interests that needs to be unraveled. The Olubadan confirmed that both the Oyo State Government and the Olubadan-in-Council are aligned in their determination to rid Ibadan of this menace.
The Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, supported the Olubadan's stance, stating that stringent action has become necessary as land grabbing constantly endangers the people. Speaking for the committee, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) thanked the Olubadan and the Olubadan-in-Council for the privilege to serve their fatherland in this crucial capacity.
