The Okanlomo Oodua and Gbonka Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, has called for mutual respect, restraint and constructive engagement between the political leadership of Oyo State and the traditional institution.
Chief Sanusi made the call while reacting to reports and a video circulating in which the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, was quoted as warning that traditional rulers who engage in politics should be prepared to lose the privileges and respect accorded to their thrones.
While acknowledging the importance of political neutrality among traditional rulers, Chief Sanusi stressed that neutrality must not be interpreted as silence or submission, particularly when the welfare, security and dignity of the people are at stake.
According to him, Nigeria’s traditional institution deserves respect, engagement and partnership rather than intimidation or humiliation.
He said: “No reasonable person will encourage our revered Obas to abandon their sacred responsibilities and become partisan politicians. Our traditional rulers are fathers to all. They must remain custodians of culture, peace, history and the collective conscience of their people.
“But we must also ask: Does neutrality mean silence in the face of suffering? Should an Oba close his eyes when insecurity consumes his communities? Should a king remain silent when his people cannot afford food, when roads are abandoned, schools deteriorate and young people lose hope?”
Chief Sanusi emphasised that there is a fundamental distinction between partisan politics and public responsibility, noting that an Oba may choose not to campaign for a political party while still retaining a moral obligation to speak for the people.
He said traditional rulers should not become political agents, but neither should they be reduced to ceremonial figures who are expected to remain silent whenever government policies or actions require scrutiny.
“An Oba may not campaign for a political party, but an Oba has a moral responsibility to defend his people.
“A traditional ruler may not wear party colours, but he cannot be forbidden from speaking about hunger, insecurity, poverty, development and justice.
“A king should not become a political agent. But neither should he become a political prisoner,” he stated.
The Okanlomo Oodua further reminded political leaders that governments and political offices are temporary, while traditional institutions represent centuries of history, cultural identity and continuity.
He therefore urged all political actors to exercise caution and humility in their dealings with traditional rulers.
“Power is temporary. Office is temporary. Political authority is temporary. But institutions built upon centuries of history deserve humility and restraint from everyone privileged to occupy public office,” he said.
Chief Sanusi also called for a clear understanding of the distinct but complementary roles of elected governments and traditional institutions.
According to him, while a Governor is an elected leader with constitutional responsibilities, an Oba serves as a custodian of the history, culture and traditional identity of his people.
“Both institutions have different roles, but both must work together for the people. The relationship between government and traditional rulers must never become that of master and servant,” he stressed.
He further cautioned against redefining neutrality in a manner that permits traditional rulers to support government programmes but brands their independent criticism of government policies as political involvement.
“Let us be careful not to redefine neutrality as submission.
“If political leaders can visit palaces during campaigns, seek royal blessings, celebrate photographs with monarchs and invoke traditional legitimacy when convenient, then they must equally respect the dignity and independence of the traditional institution when inconvenient questions arise,” he said.
Chief Sanusi clarified that his intervention should not be interpreted as a personal attack on Governor Seyi Makinde, but as a defence of institutional principles and democratic values.
“This is not an attack on Governor Seyi Makinde. It is a defence of principle.
“Tomorrow, another Governor will occupy Agodi Government House. Tomorrow, another political party will be in power. But the traditional institution will remain.
“That is why every political leader must exercise caution, humility and respect in dealing with our revered royal fathers,” he said.
He called on traditional rulers across Oyo State to remain firmly non-partisan while continuing to speak responsibly on matters affecting their communities.
“Our royal fathers should remain non-partisan. Yes.
“They should not become instruments of political parties. Absolutely.
“But they must never be intimidated into silence when the welfare, security and dignity of their people are at stake,” he added.
Chief Sanusi concluded by urging all stakeholders to preserve the dignity of both democratic institutions and the traditional institution.
“Let there be mutual respect. Let there be constitutional boundaries. Let there be political neutrality. But above all, let there be dignity.
“Kabiyesi is not above the law. The Governor is not above criticism. And no institution should be intimidated for standing with the people.
“This is the balance that wisdom demands. This is the path that democracy requires. And this is the respect that Oyo State deserves.”
