Pius Nsabe
In what seems like a dramatic U-turn, the Oyo State House of Assembly has passed the amendment of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council of Obas chairmanship rotational among the three first class Obas and chiefs in the state.
The amendment bill which was originally aimed at making the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs. However, the House, after deliberation on the recommendation of its Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, resolved that the chairmanship position should be rotated among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland.
The bill for the amendment of the law was passed after a third reading at the plenary on Tuesday.
However, the resolution of the House did not go down well with the lawmakers from Oyo East and Atiba Constituencies, Hon. Olorunpoto Rahman and Hon. Gbenga Oyekola, respectively.
The duo staged a walkout while the House was deliberating on the recommendation of the committee.
Hon. Rahman, in a sideline interview with newsmen, said, “We should be guided by the truth on whatever law that we make. Everyone knows the position of Alaafin. We are not out of touch with history.
“Alaafin is a paramount ruler. We should not make laws for political convenience. We should make a law that can stand the test of time. We should make a law that will align with history.
“We are not satisfied with the process that the committee walked through. There was neither a public hearing nor a stakeholders’ engagement. There is no instance where they invited anyone from Oyo to come and speak on this bill. I have serious issues with that,” he added.