The Oke-Ogun Development Consultative Forum (ODCF) has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to prioritize fairness and inclusivity before assenting to the newly passed bill on the composition and hierarchy of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in the state.
The Forum, in a letter to the Governor, signed by its President , Ahmed Raji (SAN); Secretary-General, Adebimpe Aderounmu; and Publicity Secretary, Prince Remi Adegbola, urged the government to avoid marginalisation in the restructuring of the leadership of the council.
The Forum acknowledged the Makinde administration’s strides in reviving the council, which had been inactive for over a decade.
“We commend your courage to reconstitute the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs. It is a bold move not to be taken for granted,” the letter stated.
However, ODCF noted that the amendment process should not leaveOke-Ogun region behind.
“The current amendment of the Chiefs Law deserves an all-inclusive approach in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice, which your administration stands for,” it added.
The group lamented that several memoranda and petitions advocating the inclusion of deserving traditional rulers from Oke-Ogun had been ignored by successive administrations.
“Were it not for your sense of fairness, becoming a beaded-crowned Oba from Oke-Ogun would remain as difficult as a camel passing through the eye of a needle,” the group emphasised.
ODCF also questioned the historical basis for ranking Obas by income, describing it as a colonial administrative relic.
“The categorisation of Obas by earnings was never intended as a hierarchy. It was merely an instrument based on revenue generated in a domain.
“It is time to abandon this flawed legacy and embrace inclusivity based on effectiveness and modern governance,” the letter explained.
In its proposal, the Forum recommended a rotational co-chairmanship structure for the Council, ensuring that each of the five geo-political zones — Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Ibarapa, and Oke-Ogun — has a representative.
“As the permanent chairmanship of the council is being liberalized, it will only be fair that each zone has a co-chairman. It is unjust for Oke-Ogun to be excluded,” the letter stated.
The ODCF also pointed out the inconsistencies in representation within the council.
“While some zones have more representatives than their local governments, Oke-Ogun remains underrepresented. We plead for an increase in the number of permanent representatives from our region,” the letter said.
Referencing history, the group recalled how as far back as 1976, names of prominent Oke-Ogun monarchs such as the Alado of Ado-Awaye and Elero of Ilero were submitted for council inclusion, yet remain excluded.
“This omission must be corrected in the interest of justice,” the Forum argued.
The letter concluded with a firm pledge of support for the governor’s developmental agenda.
“On behalf of the good people of Oke-Ogun, we assure your Excellency of our continued support and remain committed to the prosperity of Oyo State,” it said.
ODCF urged Makinde and the Oyo State House of Assembly to give the appeal their urgent and favorable consideration.
