Government Interference Strained Ibadan Traditional System — Former CCII President, Oyero

A former President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Bayo Oyero, has criticized the Oyo State Government’s involvement in the Ibadan traditional system, asserting that reforms to the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration should not have been government-initiated.

Chief Oyero expressed these views on Monday during a lecture at the 2024 annual event organized by the Ibadan Foundation, led by Alhaji Tunji Afunlehin, held at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi Ape, Ibadan.

He lamented that the esteemed traditional system of the Yoruba land is now under strain due to government interference.

In his lecture titled “Ibadan: A Time to Score Golden Goals; Visioning for Fatherland,” Chief Oyero stated, “Recent events in our traditional chieftaincy system hint that we must not be indifferent to ongoing developments, which can have far-reaching implications for our system, unique and revered by all other Yoruba kingdoms.”

He continued, “One thing is clear; politics has crept into it, which is unhealthy for the system. One can now see the wisdom of Oba Odulana Odugade (2007-2016) when he attempted to insulate our traditional chieftaincy system from partisan politics. He proposed that chiefs at the peak of the two ladders of Otun and Balogun lines—i.e., high chiefs—should renounce partisan politics. Members of his council frustrated his efforts.”

“Up until the immediate past administration in the state, no government ever tampered with the Ibadan chieftaincy system. It is becoming clear to the indigenes of Ibadanland that government involvement in the system is not productive.”

Chief Oyero reasoned that, instead of government interference, “reforms should be initiated by the Olubadan and the Olubadan Advisory Council and endorsed by the people—not by any state government. I hope and pray that the changes already made and intended will not consume the system, which is already experiencing strains and stresses never known in its 78 years of existence since 1946. The reform was fashioned by the then Olubadan Aleshinloye and his chiefs, and the educated Ibadan elites, which was later endorsed by the government and promulgated into a Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957.”

He added, “Even during the 19th century, no government ever tampered with the Ibadan chieftaincy system. Ibadan leaders, right at the onset of this 3rd Ibadan settlement, freely chose republicanism over hereditary monarchy, and they were unhindered. The proper process should be that when the Olubadan and his council propose a reform and carry the people along, the government can then be approached for legislative endorsement. It should be a bottom-up, not a top-down approach.”

Chief Oyero acknowledged that while such reforms might have financial implications for the state government, thus it cannot be entirely excluded. However, the government’s role should be advisory and supportive, ensuring the interests of all parties are considered. He cited the current situation in Kano State as a negative example of government involvement in chieftaincy matters.

He also warned against allowing non-Ibadan women to join the Iyalode line, noting that this practice could undermine the integrity of the traditional system. “There is a practice going on now in our chieftaincy system that should be arrested before it bastardizes our system. The practice of appointing non-Ibadan women into the Iyalode line is unacceptable. Once appointed, they are potential Iyalode.”

“The Olubadan Advisory Council must understand it is an abuse of office to approve and preside over the installation of their wives as chiefs in the Iyalode line,” he added.

The event was attended by notable figures including Chief Bayo Oyero, Chief Mrs. Bola Doherty (CEO of Bola Group of Schools), Oba Olasunkanmi Abioye Opeola (the Oniroko of Iroko, representing the Olubadan of Ibadanland), Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Dr. Adetunji Adeniran (First Pathologist Veterinary), Architect Fatai Falola (IPU Ibadan), Retired Major General AA Oalniyi (former GOC, 82 Div. Nigerian Army), and Baale Ekotedo, Elder Taiye Ayorinde.