The Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Àgbáyé has petitioned Governor Seyi Makinde and the Oyo State House of Assembly, urging them to correct what it described as the “unjust omission” of key first-class Obas from Ogbomoso zone in the recently amended Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs Law.
In two separate letters dated May 26, 2025, and signed by the group’s Chairman, Prince Aderemi Oluwasegunfunmi Alfaruq Olude, and Secretary, Rev’d Gbenga Ogunniyi, the socio-cultural organisation commended the government’s efforts at reforming traditional leadership structures but expressed concern over what it termed a “grave injustice.”
The group noted that the amended list of members of the Council of Obas and Chiefs contradicts the provisions of the 2005 Oyo State Government Gazette, which recognised several first-class Obas from Ogbomosoland.
While the new list includes Aale Oke’lerin, other historically significant monarchs such as the Onisapa of Isapa, Onijeru of Ijeru, and Ebu-Akandie were left out. These monarchs, alongside the Soun of Ogbomosoland, form part of “The Alongo” — founding figures of Ogbomoso, the group stated.
Also excluded were the Aare-Ago of Ogbomosoland and Baale Masifa, who, according to the group, played major roles in the resistance against Fulani invasions in historical wars. Other traditional titles left out include the Aresapa of Iresapa, Bara of Ogbomosoland, Ikolaba, Abese, Jagun, Balogun, and Iyalode of Ogbomosoland.
“The omission of these respected monarchs from the council list is not only a contradiction of historical facts but also a denial of their contributions to the socio-political development of Oyo State and Yorubaland,” the group stated.
The organisation called on the Governor and the Speaker of the House to urgently review the amended law and reinstate the omitted traditional rulers in line with the 2005 gazette.
Copies of the previous gazette were reportedly attached to the petitions submitted to the Governor and the House of Assembly for reference and verification.