Governor Seyi Makinde on Thursday inaugurated a new Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs in Ibadan, with the chairmanship set to rotate among three foremost traditional rulers in the state.
The inauguration, held at the House of Chiefs Hall, State Secretariat, Ibadan, followed the passage of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the Oyo State House of Assembly.
At the event, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Arusa I, emerged as the inaugural chairman of the council and will serve a two-year term in line with the provisions of the amended law.
Governor Makinde said the rotational chairmanship was designed to promote fairness, unity and cooperation among traditional institutions in the state.
“I called the monarchs that we proposed in the law that the chairmanship of the Council of Obas will rotate, and I believe from the law it’s every two years that it will rotate. This is what we are known for. But when we sit down, if we don’t resolve issues and do what is right and proper for our people, then we have failed,” Makinde said.
He explained that consultations were held with the three monarchs designated in the law—the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomosoland—adding that it was agreed that the rotation would begin with the Olubadan.
“So, I consulted my three fathers—the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland—and the agreement is that they will start the rotation with Kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadan. On that basis, I hereby pronounce the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs inaugurated,” he added.
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Under the amended law, the chairmanship of the council will rotate every two years among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomosoland.
However, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, was conspicuously absent from the inauguration ceremony.
Oba Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State, was installed as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland in September 2025, following the death of his predecessor, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.