Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, signed the state’s Chieftaincy Bill into law on Friday.
Since the bill has been signed, the governor has the power to award state chiefs with beaded crowns and coronets.
When he gave beaded crowns and staffs of office to 21 chiefs who had been raised by the government at the time, the late Abiola Ajimobi, the state’s former governor, drew ire from the populace in 2017.
Makinde pointed out that past governments’ attempts to modify the legislation led to a number of difficulties in his remarks at the event on Friday.
He added that the state government this time allowed due process to prevail in the interest of all stakeholders.
The governor said: “The implication is that we must have a law in Oyo State that allows the smooth running of the traditional council.
“Before I came in, the traditional council was not functioning, but now it can function.
“The previous administration tried to reform the traditional council system, especially in Ibadan and the government gave coronets to some high chiefs.
“One of the high chiefs went to court and the court decided that the previous administration did not follow its 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.”
He commended the state’s House of Assembly for the timely passage of the amendment bill.
Makinde said the development would help the traditional council to function well and forestall constant litigation.
The Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Abiodun Fadeyi, presented the amendment bill to the governor.
He said a public hearing on the bill was held where the opinions of all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, were aggregated.
He assured the people of Oyo State that the new law would impact the state positively.
