Gov Abiodun (right) with Olakunle
Towns and villages not playing host to schools, health centres, markets and other social-economic facilities will no longer be considered for a coronet Oba, the state’s newly signed Chiefs Law now dictated.
The newly signed state law assented to by Governor Dapo Abiodun also maintained that the community must have a Baale stool that has been in existence for not less than 15 years.
The new law also stipulates that the community must have a minimum of 20,000 residents, as determined by the National Population Commission.
It was said that after a Baale stool had been upgraded to a Part III Oba, the stool must have existed for another 10 years before it could be considered for another promotion.
In any community where a Baale is upgraded without following the provisions of this law, the governor is empowered to remove such.
Section 26 & 27 of the new Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law stipulates that: “No existing Baale or Stool or a new Baale or Stool shall be upgraded to a coronet stool except it has existed for 15 years; the village/town should have been evidently developed with social-economic facilities e.g Public Schools, Health Centre, Market, etc; should have a minimum of Twenty Thousand residents as determined by National Population Commission (NPC).
“The power of the Executive Council to upgrade a Stool or Baaleship to a coronet stool shall only be exercised on the recommendation of such upgrade to a coronet by the Traditional Council to which the Baale or Stool belongs.
“A coronet stool shall not be qualified for upgrading to a Part ll status unless it has existed for 10 years or more and a chieftaincy declaration has been made or registered in respect thereof.
“Where any chieftaincy appointment is made in contravention of any provision of this Law, the Governor shall set up a commission of inquiry… to consider such appointment and make recommendations as to its retention or withdrawal.
“The Executive Council shall, after the submission of the report of the commission of inquiry, consider the recommendation and if such recommendation is accepted by the Executive Council, it shall order the withdrawal of a certificate of appointment of such Chieftaincy and give directive to commence the process of filling the Chieftaincy in accordance with the provisions of the Law.”
The new Oba’s Law is now generating controversy among stakeholders.
