The call for constitutional recognition of traditional rulers in Nigeria was re-echoed on Monday as Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (K-RAD), an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Osun State, urged the National Assembly to assign defined roles to monarchs in governance.
Adegoke made the call while delivering a lecture titled “The Role of Traditional Rulers in Constitutional Democracy in Nigeria” at the 15th coronation anniversary lecture of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Abidemi Oyetunji Olanipekun (Larooye II). The event was held at Osun State University, Osogbo.
According to him, Nigeria cannot continue to exclude its traditional institutions from governance while other African countries such as Rwanda, Ghana, South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe have accorded their monarchs recognition in constitutional democracy.
“Our Obas, Emirs, and Obis must be given legal recognition in governance. Traditional rulers already play significant roles, and giving them constitutional backing will enable them to render greater services to society. With this, our country will achieve greater peace and progress,” he said.
He added that empowering monarchs financially and granting them autonomy would strengthen community policing, restore grassroots security, and ensure better monitoring of criminal elements.
Vice Chancellor of Osun State University, Prof. Odunayo Clement Adebooye, aligned with Adegoke’s position, stressing that traditional institutions should not be ignored in Nigeria’s governance structure.
“Proper integration of traditional institutions based on our cultural heritage will strengthen peace and stability in our communities and the nation at large,” he said.
Oba Jimoh Abidemi Oyetunji Olanipekun, the Ataoja of Osogbo, in his remarks, commended the lecture and expressed gratitude to the university for hosting the event.
He described Osun as one of the most peaceful states in the Southwest, attributing this to the strength of its traditional institutions.
“We anticipate that the ideas shared here today will yield positive results. As custodians of culture, we remain committed to maintaining peace and harmony among our people,” the monarch said, while reaffirming the historical importance of the Ataoja stool as the fourth in hierarchy among Osun’s royal seats.” The monarch said.
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