Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State convened a meeting with traditional rulers from across the state to discuss the reconstitution of the Council of Obas and Chiefs. The gathering took place in Ibadan, the state capital, over the weekend and was attended by traditional rulers representing the five geopolitical zones in Oyo State.
Sources indicate that the Council has not been operational since 2011. Governor Makinde, represented by his Deputy, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, expressed concern about the current state of the Council and emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the issues.
The governor assured that his administration is prepared to resolve all outstanding issues and restore the functionality of the Council. He mentioned that recommendations and suggestions from Council members had been sought earlier by the administration.
“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, called 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.
“We have received observations and suggestions from the five geopolitical zones of the state, Ibadan zone, Oyo, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso and Oke-Ogun zones,” Makinde said.
