By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
Yoruba Traditional Rulers under the aegis of the Yoruba Obas’ Forum, which consists of frontline Yoruba Obas from South West and North Central states, has called for constitutional roles for all traditional rulers across board in the country, saying this would engender peace and stability in the country.
The traditional rulers who described traditional institution as sacred and pivotal to the success and survival of any society, said no nation could grow when their tradition was being subjugated and suppressed in such a brazen fashion as had been happening in Nigeria.
The press statement issued and made available to journalists on behalf of the Yoruba Obas Forum by the Administrator of the Forum, Oba (Dr) Michael Odunayo Ajayi JP, the President of the Forum who is the Molokun of Atijere, Oba Samuel O. Adeoye and the Forum’s General-Secretary who is also the Olukotun of Ikotun-Ile, Oba. Dr. Abdulrasaq Adebayo Abioye described the traditional institution as a significant part of every society, adding that the role of the royal fathers should be accorded due recognition.
The statement said, “no one can underrate the contributions of the royal fathers as “we are the custodians of our customs and tradition and we sustain peace and stability in our domain which are some of the reasons governments must accord us our due constitutional roles being the closest to the grassroots.”
The Yoruba Obas who cut across all South-West States and some North-Central States, while congratulating Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his resounding electoral victory said it signified renewed hope for Nigerians.
He enjoined the incoming President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima to consider giving constitutional roles to traditional rulers in the country.
They said they believe it would go a long way to bring the dividends of democracy closer to the rural areas as well to curb insecurity in the entire nation saying they are the Chief Security Officers of their domain.
The Yoruba traditional rulers which is also a registered forum of hundreds of Obas in Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Kwara, Ekiti, Ondo and Kogi states that was established to uplift and promote the interest of the their Nigerian Constitution and giving them roles which is to ease the burden of governments by bringing adequate developments closer to the rural dwellers and bridge failure gaps appealed strongly to the Federal Government to grant them constitutional sovereignty saying it would lead to prosperity for the entire nation.
The Yoruba Obas who called for the reinstatement of the roles assigned to traditional rulers in the 1969 Constitution stressed that such moves would bring about national peace, harmony, progress, adequate security and advancement of the country.
The following eight (8) agenda have been listed for the incoming administration as a template which includes, “Clear constitution roles for traditional rulers as 4th tier of government or replace the existing local government authorities with local councils under traditional rulers. Governments to apportion at least 50% of the security votes to the traditional rulers to effectively oversee the security affairs of each domain in conjunction with traditional, native and other government security apparatus. Devolution of more powers to the local government areas under the supervision of traditional rulers. Government should support agriculture at the rural areas for local consumption and export purposes.
“Other agenda includes, Diversification of the crude to curb over dependence of crude oil, with special focus on agriculture, tourism and mining under partnership between the government and the traditional rulers. Re-introduction customary/native courts under the headship of traditional rulers with jurisdiction over land, domestic, and other similar matters, documentation and recognition of judgements at these courts.
“The power sector should be given priority attention with consideration for regional and sub regional power generation, distribution and transmission to ease the logjam and make electricity more accessible tailored to needs while Youths and women who constituted over 60% of our population should be supported and empowered adequately after proper localised assessment”.
The agendas and demands being made to the government according to Yoruba Obas Forum would go a long a way to co-manage the affairs of the communities and especially in the area of security, the forests and beyond.
“It is also important as a prevention to the menace of illegal mining activities that must be strictly and urgently tackled” the statement concluded.
The Yoruba Obas, further used the medium to warn against any ploy to scuttle the swearing-in of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Vice-President-elect, Kashim Shettima come May 29 or truncate democracy.
The Obas said the inauguration of the President elect and his Vice is sacrosanct and therefore cannot be changed while questioning the people making such calls, saying it has no basis in the country’s constitution.
It reminded all that ever since democratic elections have been held in Nigeria especially during the current democratic phase from 1999 till date the results of elections have always been contested by the losing parties and never has such tribunal process ever prevented a smooth inauguration and this will not be an exception.
The Obas while thanking Nigerians across the country for the trust reposed in the President elect through their massive votes, prayed for a smooth swearing in of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a successful tenure of office that will turn the fortunes of Nigeria around.
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