Speaker Throws Out Letter Removing Ooni As Oba’s Council Permanent Chairman
By Oludare Joshua
The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, has emphatically refuted claims that the legislature is considering a letter proposing rotational chairmanship for the Osun Council of Obas.
The denial was conveyed in an official statement signed by the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu, and made available to journalists in Osogbo on Monday.
According to Egbedun, a Facebook account operating under the name ‘Ashiwaju Omo Yoruba’ had falsely alleged that the Assembly received correspondence regarding the rotation of chairmanship among traditional rulers in Osun 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 Speaker stated.
He categorically denied receiving or authorising any such correspondence, emphasising that no matter relating to rotational chairmanship among Osun traditional rulers had been presented to or deliberated upon by the House or its Committee on Chieftaincy Matters.
”At no time did the Speaker 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 claim is entirely fabricated and does not reflect the legislative activities or records of the Assembly,” Egbedun declared.
The Speaker condemned what he described as deliberate mischief aimed at spreading unfounded information to mislead the public, provoke unnecessary tension, and undermine the credibility of the Osun State House of Assembly.
He characterised the circulation of such posts as irresponsible, particularly as they attempt to exploit sensitive traditional and cultural issues for ulterior motives.
”The Speaker strongly condemns this conduct and reiterates that the Assembly conducts its affairs strictly in line with constitutional provisions and established legislative procedures,” the statement read.
Egbedun urged members of the public, particularly citizens of Osun State, to disregard the publication entirely, advising that only statements issued through official and verified channels of the Osun State House of Assembly should be considered authentic.
The clarification by the Osun Assembly comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the recent inauguration of the reconstituted Oyo State Council of Obas, which introduced a rotational chairmanship arrangement.
As reported by The PUNCH on January 15, Governor Seyi Makinde inaugurated a new Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs in Ibadan, with the chairmanship position set to rotate among three leading traditional rulers in the state.
The ceremony, held at the House of Chiefs Hall, State Secretariat, Ibadan, saw the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Arusa I, emerge as the inaugural chairman for a two-year term.
However, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, one of the foremost monarchs in the state, was notably absent from the event.
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—a legislative measure designed to strengthen traditional institutions in the state.
