Two prominent traditional rulers in Oyo State—the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Olaoye Ghandi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade—were conspicuously absent as Governor Seyi Makinde inaugurated the 50th anniversary of the state on Monday.
Family members of former governors, traditional and religious leaders, top government functionaries, and political stakeholders gathered at the International Conference Centre, Ibadan, to celebrate the state, which was created on February 3, 1976, from the former Western Region of Nigeria, with Ibadan as its administrative capital.
The state government had unveiled a week-long programme for the anniversary on January 21, 2026. The events include religious services, cultural exhibitions, an awards and dinner night, and a public lecture titled, “Consolidating The Legacy, Navigating The Present And Reimagining The Future.”
Governor Makinde had appointed Saheed Fijabi, a former member of the House of Representatives, as chairman of the 11-member planning committee for the anniversary.
While the Olubadan of Ibadan and Chairman of Oyo Council of Obas, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, attended the ceremony along with other traditional rulers, the absence of the Alaafin and the Soun drew attention, especially following Makinde’s recent decision to make the chairmanship of the Oyo Council of Obas rotational among the Alaafin, Soun, and Olubadan. Previously, the position had been permanently reserved for the Alaafin.
At Oba Ladoja’s recent inauguration, Makinde stated that the new arrangement had the buy-in of all three monarchs. However, the Alaafin quickly issued a rebuttal, claiming he was never part of any meeting where such an agreement was reached.
The absence of the Alaafin and Soun, coupled with their earlier objections to the rotational chairmanship of the Oyo Council of Obas, suggests underlying tensions within the state’s traditional institutions, even as the government pushes forward with anniversary celebrations and governance initiatives.
Governor Makinde, however, stressed that the administration remains committed to inclusive governance, economic growth, and public engagement, asserting that Oyo State’s next 50 years must be defined by prosperity, innovation, and opportunity for all residents.
