The executive Governor of Oyo State, ‘Governor Seyi Makinde On Friday, signed the amendment to the state’s Chiefs Law, Cap. 28 into law. This amendment grants the governor autonomy to present beaded crowns and coronets to chiefs in the state.
The state House of Assembly passed the bill on Wednesday to amend the Chiefs Law, Cap 28, Laws of the Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000. This was done after the House Committee on Local Government and State Honours presented their report.
It is worth noting that on May 12, 2023, the state Assembly held a public hearing on the proposed amendment, where they aggregated opinions from all stakeholders, including traditional rulers.
During the signing of the bill at the Executive Council Chamber in Ibadan, Governor Makinde praised the lawmakers for their timely passage. He believes that this amendment will help the traditional council function well and prevent constant litigation.
He said, “Well, the implication is that we must have a law in the state that allows the smooth running of the traditional council, which is important. Before I came in, the traditional council was not functioning, but now they can function.
“You remember that the previous administration tried to reform the traditional council system, especially in Ibadanland.
“The government gave coronets to some high chiefs. One of the High Chiefs went to court, and the state court decided that the previous administration didn’t follow their own law. Now that we have amended the law, we will follow our own law, and no one can go to court now and succeed.”