Oyo on edge as Alaafin, Olubadan supremacy battle rages
Resuscitation of the Oyo State Council of Obas after 15 years of hiatus has triggered fresh controversy and perceived supremacy battle between the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja and the Alaafin of Oyo, Abimbola Akeem Owoade, Weekend Trust reports. There is fresh tension among the three traditional rulers in Oyo State – the Alaafin […]
Resuscitation of the Oyo State Council of Obas after 15 years of hiatus has triggered fresh controversy and perceived supremacy battle between the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja and the Alaafin of Oyo, Abimbola Akeem Owoade, Weekend Trust reports.
There is fresh tension among the three traditional rulers in Oyo State – the Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadan and Soun of Ogbomoso – following the resurrected state Council of Obas.
The recently passed Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (further amendments) Bill, 2025, by the Oyo State House of Assembly, introduced the rotational chairmanship among the top three monarchs in the state.
The politics and controversy of rotational chairmanship among top monarchs is not alien to the state, with the contentious issue dating back to the old Oyo State.
Historical accounts have it that the leadership composition of the Traditional Rulers’ Council led to a quarrel between the Alaafin, the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, and the Ooni of Ife, the late Oba Okunade Sijuade, the type of rift that never reared its ugly head in the early days of the same Alaafin and the late Oba Adesoji Aderemi, the former Ooni of Ife.
When the Ooni was appointed as the president/permanent chairman of the old Oyo Traditional Council, the Alaafin protested and shunned the meetings of traditional rulers. When it was made rotational, the Ooni also refused to attend meetings.
The supremacy battle lingered until Osun State was created in 1991. Then, it was widely believed that the rivalry would naturally subside, with jurisdictions clearly separated and the question of supremacy settled.
The Alaafin subsequently assumed the role of the permanent chairman of the council, and he remained so for decades. However, this was not without little resistance from the Olubadan and the Soun stools on the need for rotational headship of the council.
In 2004, the then Governor Ladoja decentralised the Council of Obas, introducing a new arrangement that allowed for a rotational chairmanship among the Alaafin, the Olubadan of Ibadan, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland. The arrangement was said to be framed as a response to contemporary realities, but it faced criticism as many viewed it as an affront to the historical authority of the Alaafin.
However, Ladoja’s successor, the late former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, restored Alaafin’s leadership in 2007 when he assumed office. Interestingly, it was the same Alao-Akala who returned the system to the rotational practice.
At the twilight of his administration, when he could not secure re-election, Alao-Akala reintroduced a rotational chairmanship among the Alaafin, Olubadan, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland. It was alleged that Alao-Akala decided to get back at the late Alaafin, Oba Adeyemi, for not supporting his re-election bid.
After the Council of Obas’ law was reviewed and gazetted by the Alao-Akala government in 2011, not much has been done by the Council as it has been rocked by a leadership crisis. Under the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s government, the council could not hold meetings due to persistent crisis.
Makinde’s fresh move
In March 2024, Governor Makinde met with traditional rulers in a bid to review and enhance the efficiency of the Oyo State Council of Obas.
Makinde, who was represented at the meeting by his deputy, Bayo Lawal, said the government had been bothered by the redundant nature of the council for over a decade.
The governor said, “We have engaged the monarchs in consultative activities relating to the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo State. Recall that this council has not been functioning as required by law, and it has become a source of worry for the government of Oyo State
“The governor, in his wisdom, has decided to do something about it in such a way that the council becomes functional again. Since 2011, this council has not sat for once, and you recall that our royal fathers are custodians of culture in various local government areas and zones of Oyo State.
“Therefore, the government, with a view to reconstituting the council, calls for ideas, suggestions and recommendations from our royal fathers in a manner that will promote stability in the council and promote development in Oyo State.”
The move birthed the new bill passed into law by the Oyo Assembly in May 2025, retaining the rotation of the chairmanship of the traditional rulers among the Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadanland and Soun of Ogbomosoland.
The bill was passed during plenary following the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours by its vice chairman, Bamidele Adeola.
It was resolved that “the chairmanship position should be rotated among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomosoland.
The bill had generated heated arguments among the traditional rulers and stakeholders in the state. While some stakeholders from Ibadan and Ogbomoso vilified the bill, others saw it as a welcome development.
It was, however, passed for amendment after a third reading at the plenary on Tuesday.
The House has also approved the appointment of the 13 chairmen of the council, including the Otun and Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The supremacy rift
According to reports, the public display of the acrimony between the reigning Olubadan and Alaafin, who both ascended the thrones last year, was first noticed on December 15, 2025, during the unveiling of the Oyo @50 logo, an event organised by the state government at the same venue.
On that day, the Alaafin was represented by one of his chiefs. However, upon the arrival of the Olubadan at the event, a little argument ensued as he was ushered to sit on his reserved seat beside the Alaafin.
The Olubadan displayed open annoyance at what he called disregard, noting that he would not sit beside the representative of the Alaafin.
According to eyewitnesses, the matter, which generated a lot of tension, saw many top government functionaries and politicians pushing to pacify the Olubadan.
By the time the dust would settle, Olubadan’s chair was not only changed as requested, he was also relocated to a place before the seat of the Alaafin.
Following the incident, the Mogajis in Ibadanland, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Monarchs, Baales, the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI) and other prominent sons and daughters of the ancient city cautioned the Alaafin against taking Ibadan for granted.
The stakeholders stressed that the people of Ibadan would not accept any action capable of diminishing the status of the Olubadan stool or the Ibadan traditional system.
In a statement signed by the president of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori and the coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, Mogaji Dr Nurudeen Akinade, the stakeholders maintained that Ibadanland should not be regarded as subordinate to Oyo or any other town in Yorubaland.
The statement noted that Ibadan had consistently upheld its dignity and standing within Yoruba tradition and would continue to do so.
The group called on leaders across Yorubaland to engage the Alaafin of Oyo on the matter, adding that the peaceful disposition of the people of Ibadan should not be misinterpreted.
Olubadan ‘rejects’ Alaafin’s handshake at public event
Recently, the royal rift took a new dimension when Oba Ladoja snubbed the Alaafin at a public event.
The drama took place during the 2026 Inter-Faith Gathering held at the Secretariat Grand Space, behind the Oyo State House of Assembly.
A viral video showed the Alaafin, who was already on the seat, stretching his hand to greet Olubadan upon his arrival, a gesture the former governor turned visibly rejected.
However, the Olubadan exchanged pleasantries with the governor of Oyo State, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, an engineer, and other dignitaries at the event.
The incident has also become a subject of public discussion, with divergent views expressed on traditional protocol, hierarchy and the conduct expected of royal institutions at official functions.
The Olubadan later addressed the viral video showing the handshake snub, maintaining that the incident was neither intentional nor disrespectful.
The monarch rejected claims that he deliberately ignored the Alaafin at a recent public event in Ibadan, describing the controversy as a misunderstanding amplified online.
Speaking to journalists, Oba Ladoja clarified that his actions at the event were guided strictly by protocol and timing, not personal issues or ill feelings.
“There was no intention whatsoever. What happened was not deliberate. The social media has simply twisted the situation,” the Olubadan said.
He explained that he arrived at the venue slightly late and was careful to take his seat quietly without interrupting the programme.
“When you arrive late at a mosque, you don’t walk around greeting people while prayers are ongoing. You wait and join properly. That was exactly what I was trying to do,” he explained.
According to him, movement was also constrained by the seating arrangement as his seat was placed between the Soun of Ogbomosoland and the Alaafin of Oyo.
“My seat was sandwiched between the Soun and the Alaafin. I had to pass through people. I didn’t decide to avoid or ignore anyone. Why would I?” He asked.
The Olubadan further noted that a longer version of the video clearly showed him exchanging greetings with other prominent figures at the event, including the state governor.
“If you watch the complete video, you will see me greeting people. But the social media only picked what suited a certain narrative,” he said.
Emergence of Olubadan as chairman
Governor Makinde last Thursday inaugurated the State Council of Obas and Chiefs, with the Olubadan emerging as chairman for a two-year term.
The inauguration kick-started the rotation introduced by new law among three leading traditional rulers in the state.
But the Alaafin shunned the inauguration, which took place at the House of Chiefs Hall, State Secretariat, Ibadan.
Under the amended law, the chairmanship of the council will rotate every two years among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomosoland.
Speaking at the event, Makinde explained the rationale behind the rotational chairmanship, saying, “I called the monarchs and explained that we proposed in the law that the chairmanship of the Council of Obas would rotate every two years. This is what we are known for. If we don’t resolve issues and do what is right and proper for our people, we have failed.
“So, I consulted my three fathers – the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomosoland. The agreement is that they will start the rotation with Kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadan.
“On that basis, I hereby pronounce the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs inaugurated.”
Expectedly, Alaafin’s absence gave the event an undertone of discord, generated much controversy and fueled the rivalry between him and the Olubadan.
The Alaafin, later in a statement, faulted Makinde’s position that he (the governor) consulted the Olubadan, the Alaafin and the Soun of Ogbomoso on the rotational chairmanship of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
In a swift response signed by Bode Durojaiye, his director of media and publicity, the Alaafin said there was no time he held any meeting with Makinde, Olubadan or Soun on the matter.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Alaafin’s palace has been drawn to a statement credited to Governor Seyi Makinde that he consulted with the three traditional rulers in the state: the Alaafin, Olubadan and the Soun of Ogbomoso on the rotational chairmanship of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
“The palace hereby wants to state clearly that there was no time His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo , Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, an engineer, held any meeting with either the state governor or any of the two traditional rulers mentioned above.
“Also, 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 position of the Alaafin and the entire Oyo community on the general issue of the state, Council of Obas and Chiefs has been enunciated in a memo delivered to His Excellency by the Oyo Council of Elders.”
Rotation undermines Alaafin’s authority – Oyo groups
Two Oyo-based civil society organisations – the Oyo Scholars Congress (OSC) and the Oyo Global Forum (OGF) – rejected the newly inaugurated Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, warning that rotation of its chairmanship undermines the historical authority of the Alaafin of Oyo.
In a joint press statement issued by Professor Seun Kolade, convener of the OSC, and Taiwo Hassan Adebayo, the chairman of the OGF, the two groups expressed concern over the council’s inauguration, particularly the adoption of a rotational leadership structure that places the Alaafin’s throne on the same level as other traditional rulers.
The groups described the arrangement as “a regrettable act of historical vandalism and cultural philistinism,” adding: “This is not a neutral administrative adjustment. It unsettles a deeply rooted civilisational order and demands immediate correction in the interest of historical truth, cultural continuity and collective dignity.”
They stressed that Oyo should not be seen merely as a modern administrative unit but a civilisation with enduring global influence.
“Oyo is a civilisation with deep roots. From Cotonou to Cuba, and from the Bahamas to Brazil, the descendants of Oranmiyan continue to sustain a living archive of cultural consciousness and historical innovation. This inheritance is not a relic to be rearranged for convenience,” the statement noted.
The organisations argued that Yoruba political tradition recognised the Alaafin as the apex institution of kingship, not merely first among equals.
“The Alaafin of Oyo is not first among equals by administrative convenience. The throne occupies a singular place as the apex historical institution of Yoruba kingship.
“The absence of the Alaafin from the inauguration is not incidental. It reflects a deeper rupture in the moral grammar of Yoruba kingship, where authority is grounded, not in rotation or regulation but in lineage, memory and sacred continuity,” they stated, adding that the absence of the Alaafin from the inauguration was symbolic.
Era of Alaafin as permanent council chairman is over – Monarch
Speaking on the controversy, an Ogun State monarch, the Eselu of Iselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, declared that the era of the Alaafin of Oyo serving as the permanent chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas had gone, insisting that the newly introduced rotational system is lawful and consistent with democratic governance.
In an open letter addressed to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akinyemi said the Alaafin “should not be challenging the decisions of the executive governor of his state on the pages of newspapers and the social media.”
Quoting the governor, Oba Akinyemi said Makinde explained that he consulted “the three prominent monarchs in Oyo State – the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomoso,” adding that “the trio supported the appointment of the Olubadan as the pioneer chairman.”
He expressed concern that the Alaafin was absent at the inauguration and later issued a statement denying that any consultation took place.
The Ogun monarch noted that such a claim “simply means that the Alaafin of Oyo is saying that the governor is lying.”
Oba Akinyemi described the reaction as “an affront to the Office of the Governor of Oyo State,” warning that “actions such as this can always come with consequences.”
Stressing that traditional rulers no longer control political power, he said, “We are no longer in the era when monarchs were the heads of governments,” adding that rotation of chairmanship “happens in many states in Nigeria and should not be seen as strange.”
He declared unequivocally that “the days of the Oyo Empire when the Alaafin of Oyo could lay claim to the permanent chairmanship of the Council of Obas were gone.”
“Rotation of the chairmanship of a state’s traditional council happens in many states in our country, Nigeria, so the action of Governor Seyi Makinde should not be seen as a strange decision.
“The truth is that the days of Oyo Empire when the Alaafin of Oyo could lay claim to the permanent chairmanship of the Council of Obas are gone,” Eselu said.
While affirming the status of the Alaafin and the Ooni of Ife as “overall heads of the Yoruba race,” the Eselu of Iselu cautioned that “we must do everything to prevent the desecration of their revered stools.”
He urged restraint, advising the Alaafin to “sheathe his sword,” withdraw the press release and “do away with bad advisers,” warning that “anyone advising him to confront the governor and rock the boat does not like him.”