Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo state on Friday, signed into law the amendment of the state’s Chiefs Law, Cap. 28, seeking to grant the governor autonomy to present beaded crowns and coronets to chiefs in the state.
The state House of Assembly passed the bill during its sitting, on Wednesday, to amend the Chiefs Law, Cap 28, Laws of the Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000, after the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Local Government and State Honours.
It will also be recalled that on Friday, May 12, 2023, the state Assembly held a public hearing on the proposed amendment where the opinions of all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, were aggregated.
Makinde, while assenting to the amendment of the bill at the Executive Council Chamber in Ibadan, commended the lawmakers for their timely passage, as it would help the traditional council function well and forestall constant litigation.
He said, “Well, the implication is that we must have a law in the 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.
“You remember that the previous administration tried to reform the traditional council system, especially in Ibadanland.
“The government gave coronets to some high chiefs. One of the High Chiefs went to court, and the 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 state Deputy Speaker, Mohammed Fadeyi, while presenting the amended bill to the governor, said there was a public hearing on the amendment law by the house where the opinions of all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, were aggregated.
Fadeyi opined that the new law would impact the state positively.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who was represented by the Balogun, Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin, led the Olubadan-in-Council and other traditional rulers to the ceremony.