The National Assembly should without delay amend the present constitution of Nigeria to give roles to traditional institution in governance.
A traditional chief in Ibadanland, Chief Adegboyega Adegoke, made the call while speaking with journalists shortly after him and other chiefs in Ibadanland were promoted by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
Those promoted by the Olubadan include Adegoke and the younger brother of the immediate past Governor of Oyo, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Chief Wasiu Ajimobi.
Adegoke who was the Mogaji of Abose family was promoted to the position of Ajia Balogun of Ibadanland, while Ajimobi, who was the Aare Onibon Balogun, was promoted to the position of Lagunna Balogun of Ibadanland.
The Executive Director, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of OES Energy Services, said the traditional rulers being closer to the people were in a better position to know their needs, stating that if they were given roles in the constitution, there would be less tension in every community, town and city.
His words: “National Assembly should make a legislation in giving roles to traditional institution in governance. Government should not wait till there is a crisis somewhere or when election is coming before they run to traditional rulers.
“Traditional rulers are closer to the people than local government chairmen. Hardly would you see anyone who would not recognise his monarch but they may not even know their chairman. So, for this democracy to thrive, there is need for involvement of traditional rulers in government constitutionally.
“My advice to the government is that we need to involve traditional rulers in governance at the national, state and at the local government. This idea of just assembling traditional rulers calling them advisers, is not right because nobody takes their advice. The best thing is to actually amend the constitution and give a role to the traditional rulers because they are the closest to the people, community and the grassroots.
“They are even closer to the grassroots than even the chairmen of local government. They know their communities, they know their people and they listen to them. So, I don’t see anything in it if government creates roles for them in the constitution. Until that is done, that is when the government can take them serious.”
