The Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, on Tuesday intervened in the festering controversy over the rotational chairmanship position of the Oyo Council of Obas between the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade; and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Laoye Ghandi.

He noted that it is “unimpressive for the prominent traditional rulers, whose stools were germane to the historical evolution of Yoruba, to dissipate energy on crisis over positions,” saying all monarchs should collaborate to tackle insecurity plaguing Yorubaland and push the development agenda for the South West.

In a statement forwarded to journalists, Igboho also rallied Yoruba leadership, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, to douse the seeming tension generated by the Oyo Council of Obas’ permanent chairmanship.

He recalled that the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, had last Thursday inaugurated a new Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs in Ibadan, the state capital, whose permanent chairmanship will be rotated between the Olubadan, the Alaafin, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Laoye Ghandi.

The inauguration, held at the House of Chiefs Hall, State Secretariat, Ibadan, was boycotted by Oba Owoade, with Oba Ladoja emerging as the inaugural chairman of the council for a two-year term.

Makinde stated that the inauguration followed the passage of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the Oyo State House of Assembly. Targeted at strengthening traditional institutions in the state, the exercise was carried out after wide consultation.

But the Alaafin had reportedly denied any interface with the governor over the matter.
However, while reacting to the development, Igboho noted that old empires in Yorubaland have given way to modern traditional institutions without distorting historical facts, advising Oba Owoade, who is reportedly contemplating legal action, to cooperate with the Oyo State government.

The statement reads: “Why should our royal fathers dissipate energy on positions when bandits, terrorists, and other criminal elements have taken over our forests in the South West, considering the recent ignoble killings of guards in Old Oyo National Park and a few other parts of Oyo State?

“It is critical for traditional rulers, irrespective of hierarchy, to close ranks in protecting Yoruba territorial integrity against ravaging insecurity, fostering unity and healthy developments in the collective interest of the South West.

“Traditional rulers should continue to be agents of cohesiveness, harmony, and economic growth. When your subjects, most especially farmers in rural communities, are being gruesomely murdered, it is not ideal to promote disputes over ephemeral positions,” the statement concluded.