The Chiefs Law, Cap. 28, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000, was amended by a bill that was approved by the Oyo State House of Assembly on Wednesday.
The report of the House Committee on Local Government and State Honours was presented before this passage.
The Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, hailed the passing of the measure as a positive development that would grant the governor authority over the Chieftaincy holders who are permitted to don beaded crowns.
According to the new law, the governor has the discretionary power and sole authority to decide who is allowed to wear beaded crowns without consulting the state’s Council of Chiefs and Obas.
According to report, the state Assembly convened a public hearing on the proposed amendment on Friday, May 12, 2023, when the views of all parties, including traditional rulers, were gathered.
Seyi Makinde, the state governor, sponsored the executive bill with the intention of amending the Chiefs Law.
The state legislature has now replaced subsection (1) of section 28 with a new clause as a result of the passage.
The phrase “The Governor may cause such inquiries to be held at such times, in such places, and by such person or persons as it or he may consider necessary or desirable” has been changed to “The Governor may cause such inquiries to be held at such times, in such places, and by such person or persons as he may consider necessary or desirable.”
In order to achieve this, the former Clause (3) has been changed to Clause (4), and the new Sub-section (3) now reads, “Any person who pursuant to subsection (1) of this section is elevated to wear a beaded crown from Baales to Minor Chiefs who being a customary tenant shall continue to pay obeisance to his prescribed or consenting authority.”
