Makinde to amend Chiefs Law as Oyo Assembly moves to conduct public hearing

Moyosore  Salami

The Oyo State House of Assembly has resolved to conduct a public hearing on the proposed amendment of the State Chiefs Law.

The House made the resolution yesterday shortly before passing the bill for second reading.

This was sequel to the approval given by the Oyo State House of Assembly to a letter forwarded by Governor Seyi Makinde requesting fot the amendment of the said Law.

The House has therefore committed the bill to the Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

According to the House, due to the sensitivity of the bill as it concerns the traditional institutions, every necessary stakeholder including the Government and relevant ministry and the traditional institutions will be invited to be part of the public hearing.

The Speaker, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin assured that the present administration will not do anything to undermine the history, culture and tradition of the people of the State.

Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin added that the bill will be giving all the attention it deserves.

The Bill is to amend the Chiefs Law, Cap 28, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

The amendment seeks to empower Governor Makinde to specify the Chieftaincy holders entitled to wear beaded crowns.

The part to be amended is subsection (1) of Section 28 of the Principal Law.

The letter read, “As part of the ongoing efforts of the present administration to specify the Chieftaincy holders entitled to wear beaded crowns in Oyo State, the Executive council has considered the need to amend the Chiefs Law of Oyo State. This is as a result of agitation of many High Chiefs on the issue of beaded crowns and the volume of litigations and resentment within communities in the State.

“In view of this, I wish to forward the Executive Extract on Chiefs (Amendment) Bill, 2023 to the House of Assembly.”