The Oke-Ogun Development Consultative Forum (ODCF) has called on Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to ensure fairness, equity, and inclusivity in the ongoing amendment of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs Law.
In a strongly worded appeal addressed to the governor and copied to key officials of the Oyo State House of Assembly, the ODCF lauded the administration’s decision to revive the long-dormant council, describing it as a commendable move that signals the governor’s commitment to traditional governance and cultural preservation.
However, the forum expressed deep concerns over what it described as the continued marginalization of traditional rulers from the Oke-Ogun region in the composition of the council. According to the ODCF, historical efforts to include deserving monarchs from the area — such as the Alado of Ado-Awaye, the Elero of Ilero, the Onisanbo of Ogboro, and the Ajoriwin of Irawo — have consistently been ignored since their names were presented as far back as 1976.
The letter, jointly signed by ODCF President, Ahmed Adeniyi Raji (SAN), Secretary General Adebimpe Aderounmu, and Publicity Secretary Prince Remi Adegbola, stated that the current amendment process should correct long-standing imbalances in representation across the state’s five geo-cultural zones: Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Ibarapa, and Oke-Ogun.
“It will be fair that each zone has a co-chairman in the Council of Obas and Chiefs, rather than for one region, like Oke-Ogun, to be left out,” the letter said, emphasizing the need to avoid a lopsided structure that may foster marginalization and legal disputes.
The forum also criticized the colonial-era practice of using royal stipends and revenue as a yardstick for ranking monarchs, arguing that this outdated model should be abandoned in favor of modern, inclusive governance principles. They urged the government to adopt a structure that reflects the true historical and cultural significance of traditional institutions across all regions.
The ODCF further appealed for an increase in the number of permanent representatives from Oke-Ogun on the Council, noting that other zones, including Ibadan and Ogbomoso, enjoy more representatives than the number of local governments they comprise.
Concluding the appeal, the group reaffirmed its support for Governor Makinde’s administration and expressed optimism that the House of Assembly would give due consideration to the requests in the spirit of unity and progress for all regions in Oyo State.
