The Mogajis of the Soun Ruling Houses of Ogbomoso have strongly rejected the proposed amendment to the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs Law, which seeks to make the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman of the council.
In a statement signed by the five Mogajis—Prince Olawuyi Itabiyi (Aburumaku), Prince Sikiru Oyeyiola (Gbagun), Prince Amos Olawole Olaoye (Laoye), Prince Samuel Oyebamiji Oyedeji (Bolanta), and Prince Stephen Ilufoye Layode (Odunaro)—the move was described as “an affront to history” and a step backward.
The Oyo State House of Assembly is currently considering the Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, which aims to abolish the rotational leadership system and reaffirm the Alaafin of Oyo as the permanent presiding chairman of the council—a role he previously held under the Council of Obas and Chiefs Law, Cap. 37, Laws of Oyo State, 2000, before it was amended.
But the Mogajis warned that the move is provocative and could lead to conflict, stressing that the narrative of Oyo’s supremacy ended with the fall of Oyo-Ile in 1837 following Fulani invasions.
“A new historical phase began after the destruction of Oyo-Ile, giving rise to the prominence of other Yoruba kingdoms. Any hierarchical structure must reflect this reality,” the statement reads.
They emphasized Ogbomoso’s role in supporting the rebirth of the Oyo Kingdom in 1875, noting that the land on which the present-day Oyo stands was originally under the control of the Oja lineage of Ogbomoso.
They also recalled how Ogbomoso and Ibadan helped secure a new home for the Oyo people after their displacement, and how Ogbomoso stood as a defensive barrier against Fulani incursions from Ilorin.
“Oyo-Oranmiyan was supreme, not Oyo-Atiba. The former’s powers ended with Katunga. Oyo Atiba is historically and territorially distinct, and sentiment cannot override fact,” they stated.
Citing landmark land dispute victories against Oyo, including a 1984 Supreme Court judgement in favour of Ogbomoso, the Mogajis argued that present-day Oyo lacks the moral and historical authority to lead the entire traditional council permanently.
They reaffirmed support for rotational chairmanship, noting that the late Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba (Dr) Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, once chaired the council and that the position should continue to rotate.
“We stand by rotational chairmanship. The Assembly must act in line with current historical realities,” they concluded.
