Osun Speaker Dismisses Alleged Letter on Rotational Chairmanship for Council of Obas, Affirms Ooni’s Permanent Role

The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, has outrightly dismissed a purported letter circulating on social media, which claims to authorize a rotational chairmanship system for the Osun Council of Obas, thereby challenging the permanent position held by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

In a strongly worded statement released on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu, and obtained by NaijaChoice News in Osogbo, Egbedun described the claims as “false and misleading,” attributing them to a pseudo Facebook page operating under the name ‘Ashiwaju Omo Yoruba’. The Speaker emphasized that no such letter had been received, authorized, or even contemplated by the Assembly or its Committee on Chieftaincy Matters.

“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 read. “At no time did the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, receive or authorize 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.”

Egbedun further condemned the publication as a deliberate act of mischief aimed at misleading the public, provoking unnecessary tension, and undermining the credibility of the Osun State House of Assembly. “The claim is entirely fabricated and does not reflect the legislative activities or records of the Assembly,” he stated. “This pseudo Facebook page is clearly engaged in deliberate mischief, spreading unfounded information with the intent to mislead the public.”

He highlighted the irresponsibility of exploiting sensitive traditional and cultural issues for ulterior motives, reiterating that the Assembly conducts its affairs strictly in line with constitutional provisions and established legislative procedures. The Speaker urged the people of Osun State and the general public to disregard the publication entirely, advising them to rely only on statements issued through official and verified channels of the Osun State House of Assembly.

This clarification comes at a sensitive time, following recent developments in neighboring Oyo State, where Governor Seyi Makinde inaugurated a reconstituted Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs on January 15, 2026, introducing a rotational chairmanship system among three prominent monarchs: the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Alaafin of Oyo, and the Soun of Ogbomoso. The inauguration, held at the House of Chiefs Hall in the State Secretariat, Ibadan, saw the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, emerge as the inaugural chairman for a two-year term. Notably, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, was absent from the event, amid reports of his dissatisfaction with the rotational arrangement.

The move in Oyo State followed the passage of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the Oyo State House of Assembly, aimed at strengthening traditional institutions. Governor Makinde, during the ceremony, described the council’s revival—inactive since 2011—as a step toward enhancing governance and cultural harmony in the state.

Historical context reveals that prior to the creation of Osun State from Oyo State in 1991, the Ooni of Ife held the position of permanent chairman of the unified Council of Obas. The separation led to the Alaafin assuming the role in Oyo, while the Ooni retained it in Osun. Social media discussions, including posts on X (formerly Twitter), have highlighted past tensions, with some users suggesting that conflicts over chairmanship contributed to the push for Osun’s statehood.

Reactions to the Osun dismissal have been swift on social media, with users praising the Assembly’s prompt response to curb misinformation. One X user noted, “The Osun State House of Assembly has dismissed reports that it was plotting to rotate the chairmanship among traditional rulers,” echoing the official stance.

As the dust settles in Oyo, observers in Osun are watching closely, with traditional leaders and stakeholders calling for unity to preserve Yoruba cultural heritage amid modern governance challenges.