Alaafin calls for political cooperation and stronger traditional institutions

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has urged Nigerian politicians to put aside narrow sentiments and cooperate on solutions to the country’s problems. The monarch made the call in a statement issued by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan to mark Nigeria’s 2026 Independence celebration. He said national development depended on justice, responsibility, honesty, conscientiousness and devotion to duty among leaders and citizens.

Oba Owoade asked politicians to close ranks and develop a coherent understanding of the issues affecting the country. He linked Nigeria’s diversity to the need for a political arrangement that would allow different communities to live and work together while retaining aspects of their distinct identities. The Alaafin said traditional rulers could help mobilise citizens, advise authorities, mediate disputes and support development programmes.

He argued that their position should be better harnessed because citizens remained under the influence of traditional institutions in many communities. He called for those institutions to be preserved, promoted and strengthened through formal constitutional recognition. According to the monarch, traditional rulers had experienced periods of empowerment and marginalisation from the pre-colonial period through colonial rule and independence.

Oba Owoade said the reduction of traditional authority had consequences for governance and administration. He maintained that pre-colonial institutions in Yorubaland contained elements of governmental organisation suited to the social, political and economic conditions of their time. The monarch also commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for focusing on rebuilding the country and laying foundations for a sustainable future.

The statement did not outline specific policy measures he wanted the government to adopt.