The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has charged politicians to eschew primordial sentiments and be more pragmatic in finding solutions to the myriad of problems confronting Nigeria.
The monarch said national growth and development depend largely on the good sense of justice, moral worth, responsibility, conscientiousness, devotion to duty, selflessness, probity and honesty exhibited by both leaders and the led.
In a press release to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, issued by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, on Tuesday, September 30, 2026, the Alaafin called on the political class to close ranks and logically brainstorm with coherent understanding of contending state-building issues.
“It is assumed that a nation’s value system is sacred and could extend beyond that nation’s boundaries. All nations are supposed to be proud of their value systems, just as a person is proud of his or her upbringing and character,” the statement read.
The Alaafin noted that politicians must close ranks and arrive at an in-depth and coherent understanding of the contending state-building issues in the country.
“Politically, the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern protectorates in 1914 brought together peoples of diverse historical and cultural background into one political space to chart a new future. Despite this obvious challenge of diversity, the commitment of the colonial government towards ensuring the unity was demonstrated in a number of policies aimed at fostering cultural, political, social and economic ties among the various groups,” he said.
“Thus, from the time of amalgamation till the period of regional administrations, Nigeria became committed to a united federation. Its commitment arose from its acceptance of federalism as a particular kind of functional arrangement between diverse communities for living together and working together nationally whilst preserving a measure of separately entity.”
According to him, the quantum of unification and quality of unity achieved were obvious through education, solid infrastructures, gainful employment, social welfare programmes and sound healthcare delivery successfully accomplished by leaders of blessed memory, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, and the Sardauna of Sokoto who fought for independence.
The monarch, who is the Titan of Yorubaland, argued that there is no justifiable reason to throw traditional rulers to the dustbin of modern politics if the British who colonised Nigeria and introduced liberal democracy still preserve their traditional institutions by making the King the Ceremonial Head of State.
“Since citizens who are the major determiners of the success or otherwise of democratic and development programmes are under the traditional influence of Obas, the position of traditional rulers as potent mobilisers, advisers, mediators, facilitators, adjudicators and nominators should be greatly harnessed,” he said.
“It is therefore suggested that the traditional institutions which are the only remnants of our pre-colonial political system must be preserved, promoted and strengthened through official constitutional recognitions and acknowledgement.”
Oba Owoade lamented that traditional institutions had gone through thick and thin from pre-colonial, through colonial to post-colonial eras, being strengthened and weakened, elevated and humiliated, empowered and disempowered by the emergent political ruling class.
“Before the coming of the Europeans, traditional rulers held sway not only as the recognized political rulers of the states and kingdoms in Nigeria but also as the custodians of the people’s history, culture, religions and economy.
“The traditional institutions in the pre-colonial Yorubaland had all elements of modern governmental systems and they perfectly suited the social, political and economic situations of the era with the overall goal of the welfare of the generality of the people.
“The advent of colonial rule and the imposition of Western styles of government not only reduced the powers and relevance of the traditional rulers but also made them subservient to their subjects, the educated elite.
“Since independence in 1960, the political statuses of traditional rulers have gone from bad to worse with far reaching consequences for governance and administration in the country,” he asserted.
The Alaafin also lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for focusing on rebuilding and laying foundations for a sustainable country, “knowing fully well that a nation like Nigeria has undergone avoidable levels of deprivation, but can be surmounted if we all work together.”
