A member of the Oyo State House of Assembly representing Oyo East/Oyo West State Constituency, Hon. Olorunpoto Rahaman, has strongly advocated for the formal recognition of the Alaafin of Oyo as the Permanent Chairman and Presiding Officer of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
Speaking during the second reading of the Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendment) Bill, 2025, at the Assembly’s plenary session on Thursday, Hon. Rahaman emphasized the need for clear and unambiguous language in the bill, expressing concern over the use of the term “concurrent chairmen” to describe the proposed leadership structure of the Council.
According to him, the term is vague, potentially misleading, and could lead to unnecessary conflict among traditional rulers.
“I raised a red flag over the use of the word ‘concurrent’ in the proposed amendment. The term lacks clarity and opens the door to conflicting interpretations. If the true intent of the bill is to restore the traditional status of the Alaafin, then the law must state clearly and unequivocally that the Alaafin is the Permanent Chairman and Presiding Officer of the Council,” Rahaman said.
He further noted that the Alaafin’s historical and cultural significance in Yoruba governance must be preserved in law, not diluted by ambiguous or equal chairmanship arrangements.
Additionally, Hon. Rahaman called for an extra slot to be allocated to the Oyo zone in the reconstituted Council, citing Oyo’s historical prominence and the presence of multiple respected traditional institutions in the area.
“I am calling for an additional slot to be allotted to our zone to ensure fairness, recognition, and proper representation,” he added.
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to ensuring that the final amendment reflects cultural integrity, historical justice, and equitable representation for all regions in Oyo State.
