In a move that effectively reshapes the traditional hierarchy of the Pacesetter State, Governor Seyi Makinde has officially inaugurated the newly reconstituted Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs. During the historic ceremony held today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the State House of Chiefs, the Governor announced the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, as the Chairman of the Council, signaling a new dawn for traditional administration.
The inauguration marks the end of a 15-year hiatus, during which the council had remained largely inactive due to legal disputes and disagreements over seniority and chairmanship. By bringing the “crowns” back to the table, Governor Makinde has fulfilled a key administrative promise to restore the dignity of the traditional institution and provide a formal platform for the state’s most powerful monarchs to advise the government on security and development.
Addressing the gathered monarchs, Governor Makinde emphasized that the long delay in reconstituting the council had created a vacuum that slowed down critical decision-making processes, especially regarding chieftaincy elevations and communal peace. He noted that the new structure, backed by the recently amended Oyo State Chieftaincy Law, is designed to be more inclusive, ensuring that all five zones of the state Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, and Ibarapa are adequately represented.
The appointment of Oba Rashidi Ladoja as Chairman is seen as a strategic recognition of the Olubadan’s influence and a move to stabilize the council’s leadership. Under the current rotational framework, the Olubadan will lead the body for a specified term, with leadership eventually alternating among other paramount rulers, including the Alaafin of Oyo and the Soun of Ogbomosoland. This rotational system is intended to end the decades-long friction over “permanent chairmanship” that had previously paralyzed the council.
In his closing remarks, Governor Makinde urged the new council members to prioritize the security of their respective domains above all else. He reaffirmed that the council’s primary mandate would be to serve as a grassroots intelligence network, helping the state government tackle kidnapping and banditry while ensuring that traditional laws are upheld with integrity. This inauguration effectively resets the “Royal Narrative” in Oyo State, moving from a period of individual rivalry to one of institutionalized cooperation.
