The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has opposed the decision by the Oyo State government to rotate the chairmanship of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs between himself and two other traditional heads.

The Alaafin’s reaction was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the monarch’s director of media and publicity, Bode Durojaiye.

Faulting the decision, the spokesman noted that the state governor did not consult Mr Owoade and at no time agreed to the initiative with the Olubadan of Ibadan and the Soun of Ogbomosho.

“The attention of the Alaafin’s Palace has been drawn to a statement credited to His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, that he consulted with the three traditional rulers in the state, the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun of Ogbomoso, on the rotational chairmanship of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs,” the statement read.

“The Palace hereby states clearly that there was no time that His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, held any meeting with either the state governor or any of the two traditional rulers mentioned above,” it added.

The palace spokesman emphasised that the Alaafin did not endorse the rotational chairmanship initiative.

“The Alaafin did not tell the governor or make a categorical statement on his endorsement of rotational chairmanship among the three traditional rulers in the state,” the statement noted.

Earlier on Thursday, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs at the House of Chiefs Hall, State Secretariat, in Ibadan.

At the event, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, emerged as the inaugural chairman of the council and is expected to serve a two-year term.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Mr Owoade, was, however, absent from the event.

Speaking at the gathering, Mr Makinde explained that the seat of the council chairman would be rotated among the trio of the Alaafin, Olubadan and Soun.

Mr Makinde noted that the decision was aimed at fostering unity among traditional heads and institutions in the state.

Mr Makinde stated, “I called the monarchs that we proposed in the law that the chairmanship of the Council of Obas will rotate, and I believe from the law it’s every two years that it will rotate. This is what we are known for. But when we sit down, if we don’t resolve issues and do what is right and proper for our people, then we have failed.”

“So, I consulted my three fathers, the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland, and the agreement is that they will start the rotation with Kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadan,” he said.

Commenting, the new council chairman, Mr Ladoja, pledged to maximise the new responsibility to promote peace and development for all residents in the state.

Mr Ladoja stated, “We appreciate the goodwill and congratulations we have received. This inauguration is not an achievement in itself; it marks the beginning of serious work.”

“After our first meeting, people will begin to have confidence in us, because they will see that we are not in competition with one another. We are not here to fight or to pursue personal interests, so there is nothing to fear.”

“Our sole concern is to ensure that our domains remain safe and peaceful, and that the state continues on the path of progress. We want the state to be a good place for everyone. That is the purpose of this council. This is not about any individual; it is about bringing people together and working collectively for the common good,” he noted.