Following the signing of the Oba, Chief’s Law by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Afolabi Afuape has said that the bill was not meant to erode customs and tradition of the land, rather meant to correct some anomalies that are not in tune with time.

The Law provides an approved method for the selection, appointment and recognition of Obas and Chiefs in Ogun State and other related matters.

Afuape said this while fielding questions from OGIS correspondent in his office at Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, saying, the bill does not in any way stop traditional rites activities performed when a Monarch is to be installed or passed on, but only seek opportunity for family members to have a say in the way the corpse would be buried as they so desired.

According to the Commissioner, “The corpse belongs to the family even after traditional burial rites have been done, our customs and traditions cannot be pushed aside. But at the same time, every citizen including an Oba has fundamental human rights granted under Nigeria Constitution and no other law supersedes the Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution”.

He said the bill emanated from the traditional council, which was later passed to the State House of Assembly, where public hearing involving stakeholders, including representative of League of Imams and Alfas, traditional worshipers’ group, Christian Association of Nigerian and others were held.

“The bill goes beyond burial rites, but also addressed selection and recognition of Monarchs and Chiefs in the State, before a Baale can be upgraded to coronet Oba, he must have spent 15 years on the throne with visible developmental strides, while the Monarch should have spent 10 years before they could be upgraded to part II traditional stools”, Afuape said.

The Commissioner noted that the bill would ease the task and assist the Ministry in coordinating chieftaincy processes in the State.