The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, has pledged the unflinching support of traditional rulers in Oyo State for the newly inaugurated Chairman of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.

The monarch gave the assurance on Friday while receiving Governor Seyi Makinde at his palace in Orile-Igbon, Surulere Local Government Area. He commended the governor for reconstituting the council after about 15 years of inactivity and affirmed that members of the council were firmly behind the administration.

Oba Alao, who is the Deputy Chairman of the council, said traditional rulers across the five geopolitical zones of the state—Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa—would cooperate fully with Oba Ladoja to ensure harmony and progress.

“The government has done what is needful by re-inaugurating the Council of Obas and Chiefs. We are in support of this decision and we stand united as one family,” the Olugbon said.

The council was inaugurated last Thursday at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan, with Oba Ladoja emerging as chairman. The ceremony, however, recorded the absence of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade.

Governor Makinde had explained that the chairmanship would rotate among the Olubadan, the Alaafin and the Soun of Ogbomoso, saying the arrangement followed consultations with the three foremost monarchs. But the Alaafin, in a statement by his media aide, Bode Durojaye, denied being part of any such agreement.

Addressing the controversy, Oba Alao urged stakeholders to place the collective interest of the state above individual sentiments, stressing that modern governance required collaboration between traditional institutions and elected authorities.

“The world is dynamic. Empires have risen and fallen, and governance systems have evolved. Nigeria operates a democratic system, not monarchy. Traditional rulers must therefore work with the government of the day for development, security and peaceful coexistence,” he said.

Responding, Makinde said his visit was prompted by recent security concerns in Oloka community, which he had personally visited. He assured residents of Surulere Local Government and the entire Ogbomoso zone that development would be evenly spread.

“This government belongs to the people. I assure you that we will not abandon any part of the state. All we ask for is your continued cooperation,” the governor stated.

Other monarchs present at the palace included the Aresapa of Iresa Pupa, Oba Moses Ajiboye; the Aranyin of Iranyin, Oba Lasisi Olagbemileke; the Olujado of Ijado, Oba Hammed Adegbile; and the Iba of Abogunde, Oba Tajudeen Aminullahi.