A sociocultural group, Movement for the Promotion of Yoruba Culture and Tradition has urged Oyo state government to set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to undertake an holistic reform of the Chieftaincy Institution in Oyo State.
Reacting to the recent move by the government to elevate some Báálès without the consent of their prescribed/consenting authorities, they said it may be a pyrrhic victory in the long run but setting up such commission will save the government the needless litigation costs because it will dig out recommendations for legislative and executive consideration.
The convener of the group Mr Laide Ogunwale in a statement said Governor Seyi Makinde should not go the way of his predecessors like
Chief Bola Ige, Chief Kolapo Ishola, Alhaji Lam Adesina,Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Alao-Akala, Senator Abiola Ajimobi who all had accidental slips on the chieftaincy portion of the banana peel.
“Let’s be honest; there’s nothing inherently bad about chieftaincy reforms. It is long overdue. But as the Yorubas say, itose lo l’Oyo! Without any doubt whatsoever, it is bad policy to undertake the reconstitution or reorganization of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs without the participation of the Alaafin of Oyo.”
“His rights will be affected. It’s trite law that you cannot shave a man’s head in his absence. It is against the principles of natural justice. Most, if not all of the Kings, that the Governor is consulting owe their crowning to the Alaafin of Oyo! In other jurisdictions, will such reforms take place outside the Ooni, Awujale, and other Obas in the ilk of the Alaafin? Or could it be true that this reform is aimed at whittling down the enormous influence bestowed on the institution of the Alaafin?”
“The second point to note is that the proper approach to resolving thorny issues of this nature is through the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry. And we have had quite a lot of them in Oyo State from Adenekan Panel to Oladeinde Panel, the Adio Panel, Oloko Panel and most recently, the Boade Panel. Under and by virtue of the Section 2(1) of the Oyo State Commission of Inquiry Law Cap 32 of the Laws of Oyo State 2000, the Governor is empowered to set up a commission of inquiry. Let all those who wish to be new members of the Council of Obas go to that Commission to tell us their history and be cross-examined by those who may have contrary claims.”
“Similarly, there are also wranglings in many towns with respect to the exclusion of many royal families from the Chieftaincy Declaration governing the ascension thereto. It would be fair, just, reasonable and equitable to allow them ventilate their grievances too.”
“In addition, the recent elevation of Báálès without the consent of their prescribed/consenting authorities may be a pyrrhic victory in the long run. To the best of this writer’s knowledge, the 2023 amendment of the Chief’s Law does not make the Governor the all-in-all on elevation of Báálès/Chiefs. Most of these minor/part 2 Chiefs have registered chieftaincy declarations that regulate their appointments and promotions.” As Lord Denning, Master of the Rolls, remarked in the famous case of Macfoy v UAC, you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand; it will collapse like a pack of cards
