14th June, 2023
By Oba Suleiman Owolabi Oloko
As the oldest form of government, traditional royal institutions have played a pivotal role across ages. Despite modern systems of government, traditional rulers are still a significant segment of society whose contribution to national socio-economic development will continue to be desirable.
This assertion was further affirmed on Friday, 9th of June 2023, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with traditional rulers from across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, in Abuja, in continuation of his countrywide consultations with all key stakeholders, with a view to bringing all strata of the country into a better understanding of his administration’s roadmap for good governance and deepening democratic rule in the country.
At the very engaging consultative meeting, President Tinubu again espoused the programmes of action of his young administration to the monarchs and sought their support for the actualisation of the programmes and the success of the new government.
Specifically, he urged them to support the administration’s efforts to ensure peace and unity by promoting responsible behaviour and patriotism. Correspondingly, he assured the government’s support to the monarchs as they continued in their role as custodians of the cultural values and customs of the people in their domains.
To underscore his respect for and the high esteem he holds the traditional royal institutions, President Tinubu, during the conversation, was seen personally taking notes of suggestions and solutions proffered by the monarchs to some of the challenges faced by the country.
Undoubtedly, the texture of the Abuja parley has again brought to the fore acknowledgement of the pivotal role that traditional rulers can play in deepening democracy and good governance in Nigeria.
The President, Asiwaju Tinubu, is profoundly appreciated for his gesture of recognition of the traditional rulers; it is indeed a kind gesture by our beloved leader. In so many ways, affirming the pivotal role of traditional fathers will give them a good sense of belonging and motivate them always to want to offer valuable advice to the government.
As the closest to their communities, towns, and cities, traditional rulers can better explain government programmes and policies to their subjects. This will, in turn, promote inclusivity and ownership. When people feel carried along in the governance process and decision-making through their monarchs, achieving lasting peace and unity will be easier.
In the pre-colonial days, traditional rulers were heads of government of their respective domains. Even though their role in the current dispensation is mere advisory, their support of the democratic system of government remains significant. This is because of the legacy of administrative process inherent in the traditional institutions, which can benefit the system. To bolster this assertion, at the outset of colonial rule in Nigeria, traditional rulers were used to govern the local administrative districts established by the colonial masters.
The recognition of traditional institutions through constitutional reforms in the First Republic further attests to the continued relevance of the royal thrones in our modern democracy. In decades gone by, the parliamentary system of government created the House of Chiefs to give traditional rulers a sense of authority. The position of kings and chiefs to mobilise their subjects for good causes is a positive energy that can help deepen our democracy and promote good governance.
The role of traditional rulers in settling disputes, ensuring security, and maintaining peace and order, including applying sanctions on erring residents in their communities, is very pivotal. When there is peace and tranquility in the communities, the peaceful environment helps the government to deploy resources to more critical areas that can benefit more members of society.
From the preceding, it is no gainsaying that traditional rulers are critical stakeholders in the Nigeria project. As fathers of the nation, they have a pivotal role in the present-day Nigerian democratic system and beyond. Their role in achieving stable democracy in Nigeria is crucial for the country’s peace, progress, and development cannot be downplayed.
I commend all the tiers of government in Nigeria for the due recognition that is accorded the traditional institutions. The critical role of traditional institutions should continue to be recognised. As agents of positive change, I believe that the government should preserve the conventional institutions by giving more recognition to the royal fathers as we deepen democratic governance and the system in Nigeria.
-Oba Oloko is the new Olu of Iwaya-Yaba, Yaba LCDA, Lagos State.