OYO STATE COUNCIL OF OBAS AND CHIEFS (FURTHER AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025: AN ABOMINATION & DESECRATION OF THE CUSTOM AND TRADITION OF THE YORUBAS

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OYO STATE COUNCIL OF OBAS AND CHIEFS (FURTHER AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025: AN ABOMINATION & DESECRATION OF THE CUSTOM AND TRADITION OF THE YORUBAS!*

The attention of the Movement for the Promotion of Yoruba Culture and Tradition (MPYCT) has been drawn to the proposed Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendment) Bill, 2025 which passed first and second readings on Wednesday, 14th May &Thursday 15th May 2025 respectively. 

It is our contention that the bill, as currently drafted, epitomizes a continuous assault on the custom and tradition of the Yorubas. It is on record that there was no formal consultation with the concerned traditional rulers, chiefs, historians and archivists before the Speaker and four members of the Oyo State legislature sponsored the bill. The breathtaking speed with which the bill is being considered lends credence to our suspicion that there are sinister motives behind it. 

In the proposal currently before the House, the Soun of Ogbomoso and Olubadan of Ibadan will be "permanent and concurrent" chairmen alongside the Alaafin of Oyo. This development,we daresay, is an attempt to twist and retweak then established historical order of precedence that has existed for over 500 years. 

At this juncture, we deem it necessary to engage in a brief historical excursion 

The undeniable fact of history is that the Soun of Ogbomoso is not a descendant of Oduduwa that is entitled, as of right, to a beaded crown. He is not only a descendant of an Ibariba hunter but also, in fact, junior to the Olugbon who was deputy of the Alaafin during the zenith of the  old Òyó Empire.

In Iwe Itan Ogbomoso, by Chief (Dr.) N.D. Oyerinde (Otun Baale of Ogbomoso) at chapter 2 page 10, the author stated thus: *"Ibariba ni baba Sohun, o fi odo Olugbon se ibujoko" meaning: "Soun’s father was an Ibariba person, he settled in the domain of Olugbon."*

And on page 70 of the same book, Oyerinde further stated that: *"L’ododun ni bale ni lati mu eran agbo owo ati obi lo sile Olugbon fun ebo."* Translation: *"Every year the village head must bring ram, money and kolanuts to the palace of Olugbon for sacrifice."*

In the case of Oyewunmi Ajagungbade III v Ogunesan (1990) 3 NWLR 182, the Supreme Court considered the customary law of Ogbomoso on land ownership and came to the conclusion that Soun, as a corporate sole, *has no stool land*. 

Furthermore, the immediate past Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Samuel Osunbade also defeated the immediate past Soun, Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi Ajagungbade III in court on the ownership of a large tract of land including the location of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. 

It should also be noted that the status of Soun Ogbomoso as a junior chief was confirmed by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. In Laoye v Oyetunde (1944) AC 170, Lord Wright held that: *"the Baale of  Ogbomoso is not a head chief and is subordinate to the Olubadan and the Olubadan-in-Council"*

It is a notorious fact that the beaded crown being worn today by the Soun of Ogbomoso was the by-product of concerted efforts made by Alaafin Lamidi Olayiwola  Adeyemi III (1971-2022)! 

We also wish to point out that the desire of the Soun of Ogbomoso to become a rotational chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs was a subject of litigation before an Ibadan High Court in the case of Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi Ajagungbade III v AG Oyo State, Alaafin of Oyo and ors (Suit No: I/355/2007). In a considered ruling, Justice AA Gbolagunte (now of blessed memory) struck out the Soun's suit because it amounted to an abuse of court process and same was also caught by the doctrine of estoppel. Gbolagunte, in that ruling, stated that the Soun cannot approbate and reprobate on the matter.

It is now this same Soun who does not have any stool land stricto sensu and power of consenting authority over chieftaincies in the Ogbomoso Zone that is now being propped up as a "permanent and concurrent chairman" to the exclusion of the Olugbon who was his customary overlord! 

Without any doubt, Ibadan has been at the bastion of the defence of Yorubaland. It is also correct to say Ibadan is Oyo and Òyó is Ibadan because of the long history of consanguinity and affinity - from Oluyole, Olupoyi, Latoosa, to mention but a few. Flowing from this, the noble warriors of Ibadan have always voluntarily acknowledged Alaafin as their sovereign. See the Kiriji Peace Treaty of  23rd Day of September, 1885. And in a commercial treaty dated 23rd July 1888, the Balogun and authorities of acknowledged Oba Adeyemi Alowolodu I as *"King over the whole"*. 

We hasten to add that the duo of Soun Ogbomoso and Olubadan of Ibadan got their deserved elevation in form of beaded crowns in 1976 vide the landmark efforts of Alaafin Adeyemi III.

Apart from the historical excursion above, it is also pertinent to inform the legislature and Mr Governor that the institution of a Judicial or Administrative  Panel  of Inquiry is the standard practice for the grading and classification of royal stools. At this inquiry, interested parties will test their histories and weight of evidence against one another!  For instance, the Eleruwa who is listed as number 3 in the order of precedence, by law, custom and tradition, is not in anyway superior to the Olugbon, Okere or Aseyin!

May we remind the legislature that a good legislation must be prospective! The current proposal does not make adequate provisions for a situation where there are concurrent vacancies on the thrones of the Alaafin, Olubadan and Soun as we had recently. The bill is silent on who presides if that happens. Moreso, the designation of some Obas as deputy and vice-chairmen amounts, in our respectful view, to an unnecessary duplication. 

The proposal also aims to perpetuate the continuous  marginalization of Oke-Ogun Obas in all respects. Ibadan & Ogbomoso are proposed to have a co-chair, deputy and vice chair while Oke-Ogun is not afforded the same opportunity. 

In conclusion, we wish to urge members of the House of Assembly to withdraw the bill for further consultation as same may precipitate crisis in the state. 

Ile Yoruba a gbe wa o!

E-Signed 

Laide Ogunwale

Convener