Ogbomoso Parapo writes Makinde, Speaker on composition of Obas’ Council

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Khalid ABRAHAM

A socio-cultural organisation, Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaaye, has written the duo of the Oyo state governor Engr Seyi Makinde, and Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly (OYHA), Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, regarding the recent amendment to the laws of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, which is awaiting the governor’s assent.

In the separate letters signed by Prince Aderemi Olude and Rev’d Gbenga Ogunniyi, chairman and secretary respectively home headquarters, the socio-cultural organisation pointed out some “vital” omissions in the composition of the Council seeking its correction before final assent.

The group urged the governor to withhold assent to allow the House tinker with the composition in order to take care of its observation.

According to the letters the list of members of the traditional rulers “disregards and contradicts” the Oyo State Government’s Chieftaincy Classification of 2005.

The association noted that many of the traditional rulers in Ogbomoso zone who were classified as First Class Obas were not accommodated pointing out their contemporaries and those of lower ranks in other zones were included.

It therefore appealed that this anomaly be corrected to “reflect the reality of the present times.”

Specifically, it highlighted the affected traditional rulers from Ogbomoso zone adding they deserved the placement in view of their heroic military services to Yorubaland during the Fulani wars of the nineteenth century and some in the founding of Ogbomoso.

Ogbomoso Parapo emphasized their crucial roles were recognised by even the author of the History of the Yorubas, Samuel Johnson.

Those mentioned and made case for, for inclusion in the Obas’ Council are Onijeru (Baale Ijeru), Onisapa (Baale Isapa), Baale Masifa, Aresapa and the Areago of Ogbomoso.

Others are Jagun, Bara, Ikolaba, Abese, Balogun and Iyalode.

While it noted Onisapa and Onijeru were “major contributors” in the founding of Ogbomoso, others it asserted, played significant roles in safeguarding Yorubaland.

It consequently urged the matter be reconsidered.

The letters in full:

EGBE OMO OGBOMOSO PARAPÒ ÀGBÁYÉ

OGBOMOSO HOME HEADQUARTERS

26th May, 2025

Your Excellency,

The Executive Governor,

Oyo State.

Dear sir,

APPEAL FOR THE CORRECTION OF THE OMITTED NAMES OF FIRST CLASS OBAS IN OGBOMOSO ZONE

We on behalf of the above named socio-cultural organisation write in respect of the recent amendment to the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs Law by the Oyo State House of Assembly. We commend the bold initiative but we noticed some omissions in the composition which we seek to call the attention of Your Excellency to before you assent the bill.

We thus appeal to Your Excellency to take note and have the omission corrected.

The composition of the Obas’ Council disregards and contradicts the last Gazette of the First Class Obas in Oyo State as it affects Ogbomoso Zone.

This we consider a great injustice, which we want adjusted to reflect the present reality. The affected First Class Obas in Ogbomosoland are historically important and played crucial roles in Ogbomosoland and Yoruba land history at large. The major contributors to the founding of Ogbomoso Land are known as the “The Alongo” comprising of Aale Oke’lerin, Onisapa of Isapa, Onijeru of Ijeru, and Ebu-Akandie, with the Soun of Ogbomosoland as their head.

In the most recent list by the House, only Aale Oke’lerin was included as a member of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, the equally important others were omitted. In the same vein, Aare-Ago of Ogbomosoland and Baale Masifa who also played a major role in fighting off the Fulani armies during their thwarted invasion centuries ago were passed by. As a matter of fact, these two distinguished themselves in many wars compared to others who made your list. Also, among the names omitted are; Aresapa of Iresapa, Bara of Ogbomosoland, Ikolaba of Ogbomosoland, Abese of Ogbomosoland, Jagun of Ogbomosoland, Balogun of Ogbomosoland, and lyalode of Ogbomosoland.

Furthermore, their names were written and mentioned in the History of Yorubas by Samuel Johnson, we are therefore clueless as to what may have caused the omission of their names.

The previous Oyo State Gazette before the most recent one had their names included (2005) as recognised First Class Obas. We would like you to please check and make the necessary corrections.

A copy of the previous gazette is attached to this letter for clarification.

Specifically, we want these traditional rulers included based on the 2005 Oyo State Government Gazette:

Onijeru (Baale Ijeru)
Onisapa (Baale Isapa)
Baale Masifa
Areago of Ogbomosoland
Jagun of Ogbomosoland
Bara of Ogbomosoland
Ikolaba of Ogbomosoland
Abese of Ogbomosoland
Balogun of Ogbomosoland
Iyalode of Ogbomosoland
Aresapa of Iresapa

Thank you for your good understanding.

Yours faithfully,

Prince Aderemi Oluwasegunfunmi Alfaruq Olude

Chairman, Home Headquarters

Rev’d Gbenga Ogunniyi, GSO

For the Secretary

EGBE OMO OGBOMOSO PARAPÒ ÀGBÁYÉ

OGBOMOSO HOME HEADQUARTERS

26th May, 2025

Your Esteemed,

The Honourable Speaker,

Oyo State House of Assembly.

Dear sir,

APPEAL FOR THE CORRECTION OF THE OMITTED NAMES OF FIRST CLASS OBAS IN OGBOMOSO ZONE

We thus appeal this is taken note of and have the omission corrected.

The composition of the Obas’ Council disregards and contradicts the last Gazette of the First Class Obas in Oyo State as it affects Ogbomoso Zone.

In the most recent list by the House, only Aale Oke’lerin was included as a member of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, the equally important others were omitted. In the same vein, Aare-Ago of Ogbomosoland and Baale Masifa who also played a major role in fighting the Fulani armies during their thwarted invasion centuries ago were passed by. As a matter of fact, these two distinguished themselves in many wars compared to others who made your list. Also, among the names omitted are; Aresapa of Iresapa, Bara of Ogbomosoland, Ikolaba of Ogbomosoland, Abese of Ogbomosoland, Jagun of Ogbomosoland, Balogun of Ogbomosoland, and lyalode of Ogbomosoland.

Furthermore, their names were written and mentioned in the History of Yorubas by Samuel Johnson, we are therefore clueless as to what may have caused the omission of their names.

The previous Oyo State Gazette before the most recent one had their names included (2005) as recognised First Class Obas. We would like you to please check and make the necessary corrections.

Specifically, we want these traditional rulers included based on the 2005 Oyo State Government Gazette: