The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has urged Nigerian politicians to put aside primordial sentiments and political differences and concentrate on finding practical solutions to the challenges confronting the country.
The monarch made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, Oyo State, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 2026 Independence anniversary.
Oba Owoade said the country’s growth and development depended largely on the values demonstrated by both its leaders and citizens, including justice, integrity, responsibility, selflessness, honesty, devotion to duty and accountability.
According to the Alaafin, politicians must work together and engage in constructive discussions on the major challenges facing the country rather than allowing political, ethnic or other primordial considerations to undermine national development.
He noted that Nigeria’s history had always been characterised by diversity, particularly following the 1914 amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates, which brought people with different historical and cultural backgrounds into one political entity.
The monarch stressed that despite the country’s diversity, successive administrations had pursued policies aimed at promoting political, economic, social and cultural integration.
He said Nigeria’s adoption of federalism was intended to provide a framework through which diverse communities could coexist and work together while retaining a degree of separate identity.
The Alaafin also recalled the contributions of Nigeria’s early leaders, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and the Sardauna of Sokoto, to the country’s development and independence struggle.
He said their administrations recorded significant progress in areas such as education, infrastructure, employment, social welfare and healthcare.
Oba Owoade further called for greater recognition and strengthening of Nigeria’s traditional institutions, describing traditional rulers as important stakeholders in mobilising citizens and promoting peace and development.
He argued that traditional rulers could play important roles as advisers, mediators, facilitators, adjudicators and community mobilisers, given their influence at the grassroots.
The monarch therefore advocated official constitutional recognition for traditional institutions, describing them as the surviving remnants of Nigeria’s pre-colonial political system.
He lamented that traditional institutions had experienced varying degrees of empowerment and marginalisation throughout Nigeria’s pre-colonial, colonial and post-independence history.
According to him, traditional institutions in pre-colonial Yorubaland contained several elements of modern governance and were structured around the welfare of the people.
He noted that the introduction of colonial administration and Western-style governance significantly reduced the powers and relevance of traditional rulers.
The Alaafin further argued that the political status of traditional rulers had continued to decline since Nigeria gained independence in 1960, with consequences for governance and administration.
Meanwhile, Oba Owoade commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu for what he described as its focus on rebuilding the country and laying the foundation for a sustainable future.
He urged political leaders and citizens to prioritise national unity, responsible leadership and practical solutions to the challenges facing Nigeria as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections.
