Eight communities in Iwajowa Local Government of Oyo State have called for the restructuring of the composition and chairmanship of the traditional council to allow for rotational headship.
They said the position of the Sabigana of Iganna as the permanent chairman of the council is against the principles of fairness and inclusivity.
The communities – Iwere-Ile, Idiko Ago, Ilaji-Ile, Ijio, Ayetoro-Ile, Itasa, Idiko-Ile and Ayegun- said chairmanship of the traditional council in the local government should be rotational.
In a letter by their counsel, Olugbenga Bamgbose & Co, to Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, through the chairman of the local government, the communities, said: ‘’The traditional council should prioritise the principles of fairness and inclusivity in the composition and hierarchy of the council.’’
The added that the call for rotational chairmanship ‘’becomes imperative to endanger an all-inclusive approach in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice, which this administration stands for.’’
The letter, which was also copied to the member representing Iwajowa constituency in the House of Assembly, stated there was ‘’absolutely no historical basis for making the chairmanship position an exclusive preserve of Sabiganna.’’
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The communities wondered why only Iwajowa council retained the permanent chairmanship structure after the Council of Obas and Chiefs (further amendment) Bill 2025 passed by the state Assembly opted for the rotational chairmanship of the traditional council among the Alaafin of Oyo, Soun of Ogbomosho and Olubadan of Ibadan.
They pointed out the same structure obtains in the 33 local government areas of the state apart from Kajola and Iwajowa.
In the case of Kajola, they said it was understandable because there is only one beaded king as against Iwajowa, which boasts of at least four.
They called on the state Assembly and Governor Seyi Makinde to redress the situation for the sake of peace and justice.