The Ebedi Frontliners, Iseyin (E.F.I), has called on Oyo State government to make the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola Adeyeri a Co-Chairman in the ongoing amendment bill before the State’s House of Assembly.
The group also lauded the State administration under Governor Seyi Makinde for what it called the democratization of the State’s Chieftaincy Laws, saying the legislative exercise will give more roles to the traditional rulers.
In a statement signed and made available to reporters by the Public Relations Officer (P.R.O) of E.F.I, Alhaji Segun Fasasi on Monday, the group stated that the bill in question listed the Alaafin as the Chairman of the State’s traditional council while Olubadan and Soun of Ogbomoso are Co-Chairmen.
They pointed out the fact that Alaafin is representing the interests of four local government areas in Oyo town, Soun of Ogbomoso represents the interests of five local government areas while Olubadan represents the interests of eleven local government areas, leaving Oke-Ogun area with ten local government areas with no Co-Chairmanship candidate.
The statement reads: “We have followed the process of the amendment of The Council of Obas and Chiefs Law, Cap.37, Laws of Oyo State and have realized that the proposed amendment that has reached a second reading in the floors of Oyo State House of Assembly is seeking to democratize the Chieftaincy Laws and give more impetus to the developmental efforts of traditional rulers in the State.
“We thus want to call the attention of Governor Seyi Makinde, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. ‘Debo Ogundoyin and other stakeholders involved in this historic journey, to think about the ten local government areas in Oke-Ogun, with over thirty-five beaded crowns, to be considered for representation in the Co-Chairmanship role, while Aseyin of Iseyin will be considered as the third Co-Chairman due to his long historical experience,” they prayed.
The Council of Obas and Chiefs Law, Cap. 37, Laws of Oyo State, 2000, initially placed the Alaafin of Oyo as the permanent chairman, giving him the authority to convene and preside over meetings, while directing council affairs before it was amended.
