The Osun State House of Assembly has dismissed claims that it is considering introducing a rotational chairmanship for the Osun State Council of Obas, affirming that the Ooni of Ife continues to serve as the council’s permanent chairman.
Speaker Adewale Egbedun refuted the report in a statement issued on Monday and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu. He described as false and misleading a Facebook post by a page called “Ashiwaju Omo Yoruba,” which alleged that lawmakers had received a letter requesting approval for a rotational chairmanship among traditional rulers in the state.
“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 said.
Egbedun emphasized that no such letter had been received or authorized, and the House had neither discussed nor considered any proposal to rotate the council’s chairmanship.
“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 to or contemplated by the House or its Committee on Chieftaincy Matters,” the statement added.
The Speaker accused the source of deliberately spreading misinformation that could create tension and undermine the Assembly’s credibility. He condemned what he described as the irresponsible exploitation of sensitive traditional and cultural issues for ulterior motives, reiterating that the House conducts its affairs strictly according to constitutional provisions and legislative procedures.
Egbedun urged the public, particularly Osun residents, to disregard the Facebook post and to rely only on statements issued through official channels of the Osun State House of Assembly.
This clarification comes amid renewed public discussion following the reconstitution of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, which recently introduced a rotational chairmanship system. On January 15, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde inaugurated the reconstituted council in Ibadan, with the chairmanship set to rotate among three leading monarchs. The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, was appointed the inaugural chairman for a two-year term, following the passage of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025.
