The Osun State House of Assembly has denied claims that it is considering a move to introduce a rotational chairmanship of the Osun State Council of Obas, insisting that the Ooni of Ife remains the permanent chairman of the council.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Adewale Egbedun, dismissed the claim in a statement issued on Monday and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olamide Tiamiyu.
Egbedun described as false and misleading a report circulated on a Facebook page identified as “Ashiwaju Omo Yoruba”, which alleged that lawmakers had received a letter seeking approval for a rotational chairmanship arrangement among traditional rulers in the state.
“The Office of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly unequivocally dismisses as false and misleading the publication circulated by a pseudo Facebook page operating under the name ‘Ashiwaju Omo Yoruba’,” the statement said.
The Speaker stressed that no such letter was received or authorised, and that the House had neither discussed nor contemplated any proposal to rotate the chairmanship of the Council of Obas.
“At no time did the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, receive or authorise any letter concerning the rotation of chairmanship among traditional rulers in Osun State, nor was any such matter presented or contemplated before the House or its Committee on Chieftaincy Matters,” the statement added.
Egbedun said the claim was entirely fabricated and did not reflect the legislative records or activities of the Assembly, accusing the source of deliberately spreading misinformation capable of creating tension and undermining the credibility of the legislature.
He condemned what he described as the irresponsible exploitation of sensitive traditional and cultural issues for ulterior motives, noting that the Assembly conducts its business strictly in line with constitutional provisions and established legislative procedures.
The Speaker urged members of the public, particularly residents of Osun State, to disregard the publication in its entirety, stressing that only statements issued through the official and verified channels of the Osun State House of Assembly should be regarded as authentic.
The clarification comes amid ongoing debate generated by the reconstitution of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, which recently introduced a rotational chairmanship system.
As earlier reported, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on January 15 inaugurated the reconstituted council in Ibadan, with the chairmanship set to rotate among three leading monarchs in the state.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, emerged as the inaugural chairman for a two-year term, following the passage of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the Oyo State House of Assembly.
Punch
