The Oyo State House of Assembly has dismissed claims that it is entertaining petitions over the ongoing process for the selection of the Alaafin of Oyo, describing such reports as false and misleading.
This was contained in a joint statement issued by two lawmakers of the House, Hon. Olorunpoto Cephas Rahaman and Hon. Gbenga Oyekola.
The duo clarified that no petition relating to the Alaafin stool has been received or is under consideration by the legislature.
Hon. Rahaman, who represents Oyo East/Oyo West State Constituency, and Hon. Oyekola, the Chief Whip of the House representing Atiba State Constituency, stressed that the Assembly remains guided strictly by constitutional and statutory provisions in the discharge of its duties.
According to them, matters bordering on chieftaincy affairs are clearly regulated by existing laws, administrative guidelines and long-established traditional processes, and as such do not fall within the legislative competence of the House of Assembly.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the House only considers petitions that fall within its constitutional and statutory competencies. Issues relating to chieftaincy matters are already provided for under the law and do not come under the remit of the legislature,” the lawmakers stated.
They further advised individuals or groups with grievances on chieftaincy matters to channel such complaints to the appropriate authorities, including the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters or courts of competent jurisdiction, in line with due process.
The clarification is coming amid public discussions and speculations surrounding the selection process of the Alaafin of Oyo, a revered traditional stool in Yorubaland.
The lawmakers urged the public to disregard unfounded claims capable of misleading residents and undermining established institutions, reaffirming the Assembly’s commitment to the rule of law and constitutional order.
