Engineer Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State has signed the state’s Chiefs Law Amendment Bill, 2023 into law.
The Chiefs Law Cap. 28 is seeking to grant the governor autonomy to present beaded crowns and coronets to chiefs in the state.
Makinde, who assented to the amendment of the bill at the Executive Council Chamber, Agodi, Ibadan on Friday, lauded the state House of Assembly for its timely passage of the bill.
The governor said that the development would help the traditional council to function well and forestall constant litigation.
He explained that though attempts had been made by previous administrations to change the state Chiefs Law but resulted in several controversies, adding that his government has allowed due process to prevail in the interest of all stakeholders.
According to him, “well, the implication is that we must have a law in Oyo State that allows the smooth running of the traditional council, which is important. Before I came in, the traditional council was not functioning, but now they can function, and with that law, you remember that the previous administration tried to reform the traditional council system, especially in Ibadanland, and the government gave coronets to some High Chiefs. One of the High Chiefs went to court, and the Oyo State Court decided that the previous administration didn’t follow their own law. Now that we have amended the law, we will follow our own law, and no one can go to court now and succeed.
Earlier, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mohammed Fadeyi, while presenting the amended bill to the Governor Seyi Makinde, explained that there was a public hearing on the amendment law by the House where the opinions of all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, were aggregated.
He opined that the new law would impact the state positively.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Balogun was represented at the ceremony by the Balogun, Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin and some other members of the Olubadan-in-Council and other traditional rulers and government functionaries including members of the House of Assembly and the state Head of Service, Mrs. Bunmi Oni.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
