Assign Constitutional Role To Traditional Rulers Now, Oba Matemilola Tells FG

Frontline traditional rulers in Ogun State, the Olowu of Owu Abeokuta Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola, have called on the federal government to urgently consider assigning constitutional roles for traditional rulers to make them more effective at restraining people from any unruly behaviour in their respective domains across the country.

Oba Matemilola made the call while fielding questions from journalists yesterday during a press conference to mark the second anniversary of his ascension to the throne as Olowu of Owu Abeokuta and celebration of his 60th birthday anniversary held at Owu Kingdom in Abeokuta metropolis of the state capital.

The Ogun monarch specifically premised his call on Tuesday’s inauguration of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council in Owerri, Imo State where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu openly acknowledged that Nigeria would move forward with support of the royal fathers and traditional institutions.

Oba Matemilola pointed out that the time was now ripe for the federal government to urgently consider agitations for constitutional roles for traditional rulers, given the roles they have previously played in resolving conflicts throughout the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system.

According to him, it will be much easier if they are constitutionally equipped to function maximally.

“It is important for us as traditional rulers to find ways to support the government, not only at the state but also at the national level, to enable us to make our own input because there is a lot of euphoria in society; we feel it more than the elected officials. That is the reality.”

“We interface with our subjects daily, and we see poverty, deprivations, and insecurities, and we feel them on a regular basis. We are the ones who can speak with governments at all levels and also find a way to help address them because we know how they can be addressed.

“So, to that effect, it is important for us to work with governments to craft a proper role for the traditional institution within the Constitution. That is a very important thing for us to do. If we really want to ensure that development gets to the grassroots, the traditional institution has to be involved in that process in an official and formal manner”.