A sociocultural group, Asabari Vanguard, has called on the Oyo State House of Assembly and the state government to include the Okere of Saki in the proposed rotational chairmanship of the Oyo State Council of Traditional Rulers.
In a statement jointly signed by its chairman, Alhaji Adebimpe Kakabijawuta, and general secretary, Mr. S. Y. Ajibade, on Tuesday, the group said the exclusion of the Okere of Saki from the rotation is a disregard for the town’s deep historical and cultural relevance in the state.
The group argued that the Okere, alongside the Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadan, and Soun of Ogbomoso, deserves a seat in the rotational leadership of the council.
“It is well established historically that the defunct Old Oyo Empire came to an end in 1837 and the Okere of Saki hosted the displaced Alaafin of Oyo at a place still known as Aafin Quarters in Saki. The history of the new Oyo cannot be written without the constructive support of Saki town,” the statement read.
They noted that the Okere of Saki wears an ancient crown of significant historical value, and that Saki is one of the oldest towns in Oyo State, with deep cultural roots and regional importance.
“Saki was one of the few towns in Yorubaland with a British army barrack as early as 1887. The Okere of Saki is also the only Oba in Yorubaland documented to have signed treaties with both the British and the French colonial authorities,” the group said.
They also pointed out that prior to the creation of Osun State, Saki served as a zonal and district headquarters, reinforcing its administrative significance.
“The Okere of Saki’s ranking among traditional rulers in Oke-Ogun and Oyo State is well-recognized, reflecting the town’s historical, socio-economic, and cultural contributions,” they added.
Asabari Vanguard urged lawmakers to reconsider the proposed bill and ensure the Okere of Saki is included in the rotational chairmanship arrangement, insisting that such inclusion would promote unity and fairness among the state’s traditional rulers.
“We believe that a more inclusive approach would foster unity and equity among traditional rulers in Oyo State, ultimately benefiting the state’s development and cultural heritage,” the group concluded.
