Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has finally signed into law, the controversial chieftaincy bill stopping the imposition of rituals during the installation and burial of an Oba.
With the signing of the bill, Ogun Obas can now be installed without the usual seclusion rites, known as Ipebi or what many described as the ‘orientation camp’ for a new Oba.
Also, the law allows a deceased Oba to be buried in accordance with his religion instead of being buried by traditionalists.
The bill titled ‘Obas, Chiefs, Council of Obas and Traditional Council law of Ogun State, Bill 2021’, is said to be aimed at respecting human dignity and promotion of modernity in the installation and burial of traditional rulers.
With its passage, promoters of the bill believe that “fetish practices in the process of installing and burying traditional rulers will be largely curbed.”
Traditionalists in Ogun State have on different occasions kicked against the bill, accusing the Ogun State House of Assembly of plots to erode Yoruba customs and traditions.
Defying the agitations of traditional worshippers in Ogun, Gov Abiodun signed the bill on Monday at the Ijebu-Ode residence of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikirulahi Adetona, who initiated the bill in June 2020.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abiodun said the bill was promoted by the Awujale when he was the Chairman of the Ogun State Traditional Council.
Abiodun, who expressed joy over the passage of the bill, said it spells out a method of selection of Obas and chiefs, with clarity about the passage rites of Ogun monarchs.
Reacting, Oba Adetona appreciated Abiodun, boasting that the signing of the bill is an approval of the governor’s second term in office.