Alaafin Absent as Gov. Makinde Inaugurates Olubadan as Chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas

Alaafin Absent as Gov. Makinde Inaugurates Olubadan as Chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Thursday officially inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, reviving the traditional leadership body that had been inactive for years. His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, was appointed Chairman of the council under a rotational leadership system, which allows each of the three foremost traditional rulers in the state — the Olubadan, the Alaafin of Oyo and the Soun of Ogbomosoland — to serve a two-year term as chairman.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the House of Chiefs, Agodi, Ibadan, witnessed the attendance of over 40 traditional rulers, chiefs, and community leaders. Governor Makinde emphasized that the council’s reactivation is aimed at fostering unity, cooperation, and cultural integration among the state’s royal institutions, while also strengthening collaboration between traditional leadership and government on community development and peacebuilding initiatives.

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Notably, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, was absent from the ceremony, sparking conversations about the evolving dynamics of traditional leadership in the state. Officials did not provide an explanation for his absence, but sources noted that the rotational chairmanship system may be a factor in the monarch’s non-attendance.

Oba Ladoja, who became the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland in September 2025, will serve as the inaugural chairman under the rotational system. His appointment has been welcomed by many stakeholders as a step toward strengthening traditional governance structures and promoting collaboration between monarchs and the state government.

The inauguration follows the passage of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, which formalized the council’s functions and the rotational chairmanship arrangement. Observers believe the revived council will play a key role in preserving Yoruba cultural heritage and advising the government on socio-economic development issues across Oyo State.

 

Alaafin Absent as Gov. Makinde Inaugurates Olubadan as Chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas