Governors Hope Uzodinma and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Imo and Lagos States said the absence of a clear cut constitutional role for Nigeria’s royal fathers constitutes a significant gap that must be addressed.
They stated this at the National Executive Committee meeting of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) held in Lagos with the theme, “The Traditional Institution: The Imperative of its inclusion in the effective and efficient governance in Nigeria.”
Ten governors and prominent traditional rulers led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi attended the meeting
The governors who attended the meeting were the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq; Governors Usman Ododo of Kogi; Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina; Nasir Idris of Kebbi; Aliyu Ahmed of Sokoto, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe; Bassey Otu of Cross Rivers, Monday Okpebholo of Edo and Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti.
Uzodinma who is the Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum, declared the meeting open on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and delivered the keynote address, saying the traditional leaders played a crucial role in community stability, dispute resolution, and cultural preservation, describing them as the “unifying forces that bind the Nigerian people together.”
Uzodinma recalled that during Nigeria’s First Republic, traditional rulers played a constitutionally recognised role in governance, adding that time has come for Nigeria to give constitutional backing to traditional rulers, saying this is not a privilege but a recognition of their pivotal role in governance and peacebuilding.
He told the royal fathers that he would fully support any move by the National Assembly or other organs of government to accord constitutional recognition to the traditional institution.
Uzodinma also advised the royal fathers to avoid dabbling into politics and preserve the dignity and neutrality of the traditional institution.
He said their involvement in politics could erode public trust and weaken their moral authority, adding that “don’t allow anyone to drag your stool into the political arena.”
The host, Governor Sanwo-Olu, said the advisory and moral roles of traditional rulers should be constitutionally recognised.
“Our traditional institutions often operate in a grey area — respected but not officially empowered, influential yet without clearly defined constitutional roles,” he said, adding, “This must change if we are to harness their full potential.”
He recalled that after independence, traditional rulers continued to play vital roles in governance, citing the example of the late Oba Adesoji Aderemi, who was deeply involved in political leadership. However, he lamented that years of military rule significantly eroded the traditional institution’s relevance in national life.
Sanwo-Olu told the monarchs to ensure unity and integrity, reminding them that their voices carry immense influence in shaping public attitudes toward peace and progress.
