Osun Assembly Debunks Rotational Chairmanship Claim, Affirms Ooni’s Permanent Role

 

The Osun State House of Assembly has dismissed reports suggesting that it is considering a rotational chairmanship for the Osun State Council of Obas, affirming that the Ooni of Ife remains the permanent chairman of the council.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, described the claim as false, misleading and entirely fabricated, stressing that the House has neither received nor deliberated on any proposal to alter the existing leadership structure of the council.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu, Egbedun faulted 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 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 maintained that at no point did he receive or authorise any correspondence on the rotation of the chairmanship of the Council of Obas, adding that no such matter had been presented before the House or its Committee on Chieftaincy Matters.

“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 issue discussed or contemplated by the House,” the statement added.

Egbedun accused the source of deliberately peddling misinformation capable of creating unnecessary tension and undermining public confidence in the legislature. He warned against what he described as the reckless exploitation of sensitive cultural and traditional institutions for ulterior motives.

According to him, the Assembly conducts its legislative business strictly in line with constitutional provisions and established procedures, urging members of the public to disregard the report in its entirety.

He emphasised 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 debates trailing the recent reconstitution of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, where a rotational chairmanship system was introduced.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had on January 15 inaugurated the reconstituted council in Ibadan, following the passage of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025.

Under the new arrangement, the chairmanship is expected to rotate among three prominent monarchs, with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, emerging as the inaugural chairman for a two-year term.