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Tag: Traditional Rulers

  • Ogun seeks support of traditional rulers on grassroots development

    Ogun State government has said traditional institution is a key partner in its mission to rebuild the state.

    Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs  Olajide Ojuko made this remark at an interactive meeting with first class monarchs at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital.

    He said the meeting was meant to establish a good relationship between the traditional rulers and the government.

    Ojuko said: “Government is fully aware of the roles our traditional rulers play in ensuring that the communities are peaceful. That is the reason we will continue to seek their support, so as to ensure that the landmark achievments recorded by the Senator Ibikunle’s administration is sustained”.

    He added that the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has designed a programme that would enable the traditional rulers, to understand the chieftaincy laws, community policing, and the imperative of security.

    The commissioner stressed the need to build a strong relationship between the local government and the traditional rulers.

    The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olumide Ayeni, said government was proposing legislations for reforming the  chieftaincy laws and criminal justice.

    He said the reform will curb the voilence resulting from chieftaincy titles and threat of Fulani herdsmen, adding that the traditional rulers have a pivotal role to play in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in their various communties.

    Speaking on the relevance of community policing, as a tool for curbing the  exess of underworld men, the Ogun State Police Public Relation Officer,  Muyiwa Adejobi, noted that the traditional rulers remained one of the tracks in ensuring safety of the communities.

    He said armed robbery,  cultism, Fulani herdsmen menace and kidnapping would be tackled with the cooperation of traditional rulers.

    The Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Olusola Sonuga, urged the royal fathers to see themselves as stakeholders in governance. He urged them to come up with a private bill, which would  seek  the creation of chieftiancy tribunal to address chieftaincy related matters.

    Other speakers at the interactive session include, the Commissioner for Forestry Kolawole Lawal,  Commissioner for Environment Bolaji Oyeleye,  Chairman, Local Government Service Commission Rotimi Rahmon.

  • Fuel scarcity: Traditional rulers berate oil marketers

    Fuel scarcity: Traditional rulers berate oil marketers

    Paramount rulers under the auspices of Association of Royal Traditional Ruler of Nigeria have accused petroleum marketers of deliberately trying to frustrate efforts by President Muhammadu Buhari to make life better for Nigerians.

    Rising from their meeting in Abuja yesterday, the traditional rulers expressed concern over the recurring incidences of fuel scarcity across the country.

    They appealed to the marketers to refrain from activities that will jeopardise government efforts.

    The rulers, in a communiqué signed by the national chairman and Igwe of Umudioka Ancient Kingdom in Imo State and Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Lawal, expressed confidence in the ability of Buhari to handle the affairs of the petroleum ministry.

    They said this was in view of the avalanche of fraud and mismanagement that has taken place in the ministry over the years.

    While appealing to Nigerians to avoid panic buying of petroleum products, they commended Buhari for appointing people of high calibre as ministers.

    They commended the president for reducing the number of ministries from 42 to 24, saying “this will result to greater efficiency, proper management and enhanced productivity.”

    They also praised the Federal Government’s policy on Single Treasury Account (TSA) which “is already yielding lots of dividends”.

    The royal fathers urged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as the federal government “to ensure the fulfillment of their campaign promise of paying a paltry monthly sum of N5, 000 to every unemployed youth and aged person as social welfare.”

    They also asked the federal government to assign specific constitutional roles to traditional rulers, pointing out that this will add greater value to governance and strengthen the bond of national unity.

  • Ondo gives traditional rulers assignment on Resident Card

    The Ondo State government has called on traditional rulers in the state to sensitise their subjects on the importance of the Resident Card.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, spoke when he visited the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh.

    Adeyanju said this card would enable the indigenes to access government’s health facilities at affordable rate and stressed the need for the indigenes to obtain it.

    He also said that it would enable the state government to have accurate data of the people in order to plan for their welfare.

    According to him, the dwindling economy in the country has forced the state to concentrate its resources only on its indigenes.

    “Government would continue to place priority on the well-being of all and sundry at all times, the card would equally be useful in the area of education, agriculture among others,’’ he said.

    The commissioner said that the state government’s health facilities would also be available to non-indigenes but they would be required to pay a token.

    The Commissioner visited the Specialist Hospital, Ikare in Akoko North East, where he sensitised the medical personnel to the residency card otherwise known as “Kaadi Igbeayo.’’

    He decried low patronage of the hospital by patients and advised the people in the area to take full advantage of the facility rather than visiting quacks.

    Adeyanju charged staff of the hospital to be alive to their responsibilities.

  • ‘Consider traditional rulers in security matters’

    ‘Consider traditional rulers in security matters’

    Prominent Yoruba culture activist Aare Latosa of Ibadanland Adegboyega Mabinuori has blamed the increasing spate of crimes in the country on failure of leaders to provide adequate security for the people.  He stated that Yoruba culture gives room for peaceful co-existence of people in the society because the norms and traditions of human existence in the race do not encourage any form of criminality or vices.

    He decried the spate of kidnapping, robbery, killing and corruption in the society, noting that these vices thrive due to the neglect of tradition and proliferation of foreign culture, religious beliefs and style of living. “Nobody dare use ogun or sango to swear and do evil, such person won’t escape it none of our deities harbour evil or criminality,” he said.

    Mabinuori spoke at this year’s Ibudo Asa Adulawo cultural event organised by The Centre for African Culture and Tradition held last week at the National Museum, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    The two-day event, which had as theme Culture and Tradition a Panacea for an Effective National Security, is a unique cultural event, which sought to promote and further enhance the effective usage of Yoruba culture and tradition in solving the nation’s problems, particularly security issues, which are threatening the unity and stability of the country.

    He called for strict adherence to culture and tradition as practised by the ancestors in order to live long and enjoy peaceful atmosphere devoid of any form of criminality, which he said, can  be achieved. “The potency of Yoruba deities and gods cannot be doubted and we have to go back to the roots so as to enjoy a better society,” he added.

    He, however, urged federal and state governments to incorporate community leaders and traditional rulers in the security affairs of the nation as ‘these people are closer to the people, know what goes around and it is easy for them to easily identify strangers and invaders. If every community is secured, the nation’s security will be guaranteed.’

    Assistant Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. P O Shomide said that in order for a country or community to be effectively secured her culture and traditions must be understood, respected and sustained.

    “People generally are nation’s assets which ensure their own national security depending on commitments to collective sense of being and understanding. Culture and tradition, therefore, cannot be jettisoned in view of desired national security,” he added.

    The curator National Museum, Ibadan Elder Amos Olorunnipa said the role of Yoruba tradition and culture in securing the society and maintaining a peaceful society is great. “In the olden days our society was peaceful because of the effective usage and respect for tradition but it is unfortunate now that we have lost most of these things. We are in this situation of insecurity as a result of neglect of culture and tradition,” he said.

     

    Continuing, she said: “Today here are people who even hide under Yoruba culture and tradition to swindle, dupe members of the society, do evil and engage in criminality. All this need to be checked and I want to use this medium to appeal to our leaders and proponent of tradition and culture to please. Identify and stop the nefarious activities of people in that categories”.

    Olorunipa also stressed on the need for the organisation and museum to have a working relationship that will ensure proper research and documentation of historical facts and records for the promotion and advancement of Yoruba culture.

    The chairman planning committee of the event Asiwaju Akinade Nurudeen said that the choice of the topic is appropriate and ‘if the submission of the speakers were considered it would do our country a whole lot of good and enhance a functional and peaceful society.

    Highlights of the event included the crowning of Omidan Asa 2015, conferment of Cultural Ambassador Award on Ibadan-based Fuji musician Taiye Adebisi popularly known as Taiye Currency and cultural display from Ijala chanters, Ewi exponents, snake charmers and beauty peagants.

  • Traditional rulers wade into LASU’s crisis

    Traditional rulers wade into LASU’s crisis

    Ojo, the host community of the Lagos State University (LASU) and other communities contiguous to it are bearing the brunt of the closure of the institution since March. The landlords and landladies in these communities are losing revenues that accrue to them from rent students pay. Worried by this and desirous of peace, traditional rulers of the communities hosted the V-C and members of the unions of the institution in a bid to resolve the crisis, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

    On Sunday, May 17, the Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Oladapo Fafunwa, and members of the executive of unions in the institution were hosted by traditional rulers of communities surrounding its main campus in Ojo.

    At the meeting were the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Lagos State University (LASU) chapter, Adekunle Idris and the chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) LASU chapter, Saheed Oseni.

    The Ojo Local Government traditional rulers, who included the Olojo of Ojo, Oba Galib Rufai, Oloto of Oto-Awori, Oba Josiah Olanrewaju, Oniba of Ibaland, Oba Yushau Oseni and Onijanikin of Ijanikin, Oba Momodu Asafa, pleaded that nobody should be prevented from entering the university premises. Two other Obas outside of Ojo Local Government Area, Oba of Igbo-Oye, Oba Michael Onakoya and Oba of Inoforija, Oba Babatunde Ogunlana, also participated in the parley. The two Obas are from Epe Local Government Area, which houses a campus of the institution.

    The Obas decided to intervene in the crisis which has seen the school on recess since March, for the sake of peace. But beneath their quest for peace is the fact that thecommunities are losing economically.

    LASU is bound on different fronts by communities, such as Iba, Okokomaiko, Ojo, Alaba, Ijanikin and others.

    Most of the students in the school live off campus. The landlords in these communities have the students as their tenants and they make so much money housing tomorrow leaders.

    Aside the fact that the communities house these students, the markets and businesses in the areas are built around the students. So, the school’s closure means businesses are down. The closure of the 31-year-old university is bad business to landlords, landladies and businesses in Ojo, Iba, Okokokomaiko, Cele Niser and other communities around Ojo.

    Not a few of the residents of these communities have also taken up space inside the school to run business centres where students type their assignments and do other things such as photocopying and spiral binding.

    LASU, in a nutshell, is a goldmine for the communities around it; hence, the traditional rulers’ interest in the resolution of the crisis. Unfortunately, the traditional rulers’ intervention has not yielded the expected result.

    The school remains closed and all eyes are now on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who assumed office Friday last week from Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) as the Governor of Lagos State, to resolve the crisis.

    The crux of the matter

    Members of ASUU, SSANU and Non-Academic Staff of Universities (NASU) unions want Prof. Obafunwa removed as the Vice-Chancellor of the university. But, the Fashola administration said the unions went beyond bounds, as deciding the V-C’s fate was beyond them.

    The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of LASU, on March 20, passed a confidence vote on Obafunwa, urging him to complete his four-year tenure which will expire in the next six months.

    Four days before the SUG statement, the day the 20th convocation programme was to take off, the unions shut down the university. They demanded immediate action on certain issues, failing which there would be no more work. And for no less than three hours, Obafunwa and members of the management were sent out of the school by the unionists. They were pelted with sachet water and stones.

    Unionists’ demands

    The major demands of the unions are getting rid of casualisation of security staff, outstanding 2013/2014 promotion exercise, payment of arrears of salary increase, removal of Acting Chief Security Officer and payment of increment in overtime for security staff.

    The university expressed its readiness to stop casualisation. “The management has directed that all casual staff should respond to the advertisement and this has been largely complied with.  All received applications have been duly processed and approval has been given to conduct written and oral interviews. However, this has not taken place as a result of the ongoing recess,” the management said.

    It said the promotion of members of NASU was affected by the crisis in the school; as the exercise was originally planned for April 7 and 8. Over 750 members of Non-Teaching staff are up for promotion.

    On the issue of salary, the management said: “It is necessary to state that this money is not salary arrears, but salary increase arrears, a derivative of the FG/SSANU/ASUU/NASU/NAAT agreement of 2009.”

    The initial sum stood at N2.2 billion.  The Lagos State government assisted the university in off-setting N1.1 billion, which represents 50 per cent of the total debt. The university management was directed to source the balance through internally-generated revenue (IGR).

    So far, it has been able to source N505 million; leaving a balance of N495 million. According to the management, it planned to pay the balance of N495 million by September last year.  But there was a serious dip in its IGR when the government crashed school fees.

    At meetings convened by the government and the university’s Governing Council on March 17, May 11 and 16 to resolve the crisis, the Council directed the management to pay 25 per cent of the outstanding arrears, which amounts to N123.75 million. The balance of 25 per cent was to be paid a month later.

    SSANU’s main grouse is about the outstanding 2011/2012 and 2013/2014 promotion exercises and payment of the balance of the said arrears.

    The management, at meetings, explained that all outstanding 2011/2012 promotions had been treated, while promotion letters had been issued to qualified beneficiaries. It added that the 2013/2014 promotion exercise was being processed.

    Unimplemented communiqué

    On May 11, 16 and 20, the unions, management and Governing Council held meetings at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja.  A communiqué was prepared after the meetings. But the resolutions of the communiqué have not been implemented.

    The communiqué reads: “The consultative meetings of the representatives of the Governing Council, university management and the representatives of the four Staff Unions of Lagos State University (LASU) were held on Monday 11th, Saturday 16th and Wednesday 20th May, 2015 respectively at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, to discuss the dispute between the Staff Unions and the University Management.

    “The meeting observed that the continued closure of Lagos State University has negatively impacted on the image of the university.

    “The meeting noted information provided by the leadership of the staff unions that there were several issues bothering on staff welfare, promotion; salary increase and arrears, among others which had remained unattended to by the University Management.

    “The meeting further observed the submission of the staff unions that some of the agreements had been reached on some of the issues in contention previously but such agreements were not honoured.

    “Meanwhile, the meeting noted the need for amicable resolution of the issues in dispute to ensure peace and harmony on campus.

    “Consequent on the observations above, the meeting resolved as follows: Vice-Chancellor’s Position: The Ag. Chairman pleaded with the staff unions to allow due process for the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor, while also appealing that the Vice-Chancellor and his management team should be allowed unfettered access to their respective offices now that all issues have been addressed and decisions agreed upon. However, the unions asked for the understanding and fairness of Council on the matter.

    “The meeting noted the update provided by the Registrar that the promotion process in respect of members of the Non-Academic Staff was kick-started on May 5 and 6, this year with promotion training, while the examination for the 2013/2014 promotion would take place on May 28 this year.

    “However, on the request for back-dating of promotions of some staff who were not promoted as a result of the “No Vacancy, No Promotion” Policy, the meeting resolved that the staff unions should forward their formal positions on the issue to the Governing Council for consideration after the affected members of staff must have participated in the 2013/2014 promotion examination, while affected members of NAAT-LASU whose promotion year was erroneously processed, should forward a formal complaint to the Registrar on the issue.

    “The meeting resolved that 50 per cent of the total outstanding sum i.e. N247.50 million would be paid on or before Tuesday, June 30, this year. However, half of this payment is predicated on the receipt of refund being expected from the State Government, on or before June 30, 2015.

    “The Governing Council thereafter promised to try its best in persuading the LASG in expediting action on the payment of the refund being owed the university. Meanwhile, modalities for the payment of the balance of 50 per cent arrears would be discussed at the next meeting.

    “The meeting resolved that an assessment of damaged vehicles would be done by the University Management to ascertain the extent of damage and thereafter carry out repairs on the vehicles. However, SSANU and NASU were both enjoined to fix back the tyres removed from the vehicles, so as to enable the movement of the vehicles to where repairs would be carried out.

    “The meeting resolved that the information that erstwhile Ag. Chief Security Officer had been relieved of his duty would be published in the University Official Bulletin as soon as the university is fully re-opened.

    “The meeting resolved that the recruitment process would be concluded not later than one month after the university re-opened fully. The meeting resolved that the directive of the Chairman, Governing Council that the interdiction of Professor Fatunde should be reversed would be effected.

    “On the issue of withdrawal of PhD degrees, the meeting resolved that Senate should consider the report of the panel on the outstanding two candidates within its next two statutory meetings.”

    Also, the meeting agreed that no member of staff will be victimised on the account of his/her participation in the crisis which started on March 16.

    Students want school re-opened

    The Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State University Students’ Union, Mr. Adebanjo Fatai lamented the school’s closure.

    The students have staged several protests. The SUG President, Wasiu Adeyemi, late last month in Abuja, said the students could no longer bear to stay at home.

    “We want to learn and we must go back to school…When the elections were over, we expected that they would allow the student to come back to school since there was no crisis,” he said.

    He further said only a valid explanation of the reasons behind the continuous closure would calm the students.

    “If the government or management gives us other reasons (for the continued closure), we would tag along with them, but to remain mute is unacceptable,” he said.

    The Special Adviser to the immediate past Governor on Education, Fatai Olukoga, blamed the unions in the institution for the crisis.

    All eyes on Governor Ambode

    All eyes are now on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to resolve the crisis. While campaigning to be governor, Ambode said: “We have a major programme for higher education in our manifesto; we will pursue that together with the national government when we win the election on Saturday, March 28.

    I am a product of a lot of Ivy League Schools, I have been to different schools, and I understand and know the kind of standard and quality of education I have been able to benefit from those schools.

    “If we say Lagos is a centre of excellence, we must then strive, deliberately, to ensure that whatever it is we are providing in terms of infrastructure, curriculum and content, the students actually benefit, because they are actually the future leaders of this country.

    “The truth is that if we don’t start a succession plan from our higher institutions, then we are joking, because it is not about the people who are almost getting to 50 or 60 years and are going away. It is actually about the younger ones whose capacity we really need to start to build and then allow them to take over from us.

    “I am going to take advantage of my social capital, being in the party as the centre, combined together to allow us use it for the improvement of higher education in Lagos State.’’

    He added that LASU’s fees would not be increased.

    A first sign that all is well will perhaps be the opening of the Library Administrative Block 1 housing the offices of the V-C, two Deputy V-Cs, Registrar, Bursar and the University Librarian, which have remained locked. Since March, vehicles have been used to block roads leading to the building.

    LASU, undoubtedly, deserves peace. Its 31 years of existence has been marked by one problem or the other. It can only thrive on peace, peace and peace.

  • Yero stops Southern Kaduna Chiefs from meeting Osinbajo – APC

    Yero stops Southern Kaduna Chiefs from meeting Osinbajo – APC

    All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State alleged that, Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero on Tuesday morning stopped a meeting between Southern Kaduna top traditional rulers and in-coming Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo in the state.

    The Director General of Kaduna State APC Campaign Council, Mr. Ben Kure disclosed this in a statement sent to newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday.

    Osibanjo was in Kafanchan to meet critical stakeholders in the area that includes traditional rulers, Christian leaders, academic, youth and women leaders ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

    The party alleged that, over 20 traditional rulers drawn from eight local government areas were on their way to palace of Chief of Kagoro, venue of the meeting, when they received the governor’s instruction.

    “Some chiefs were already in the vicinity when they received signals warning them against meeting with Osinbajo.

    “The programme was to first meet traditional rulers before church leaders, and we have notified them and they were ready to receive our in-coming Vice President. The meeting was to pay homage and intimate them of what the in-coming Muhammadu Buhari’s government has in stock for Nigerians irrespective religion, ethnicity, region or political interests.

    “To our surprise, we received a message that the governor has stopped the meeting and cautioned them to return to their domains. The monarchs complied with the warning, aborted the meeting and proceeded to their palaces.

    “The same governor three weeks back stopped the President-elect from holding a campaign at Murtala Square Kaduna. And he is now trying to embarrass his Vice President.

    “Are the people of Kaduna state and their traditional rulers slaves of the governor? It is quite unfortunate that Kaduna state is now under an individual who is above the law and ruling with impunity.

    “He should know that the people of Kaduna state are free people with the right of free association and choice. He will not force people to vote for him, it is a democracy and the voice of the people must be heard, “‎ Kure said.

     

  • ‘New deal for traditional rulers’

    The factional governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Abia State, Chief Reagan Ufomba has promised that his administration would give priority attention to the traditional institution of the state if elected the governor of the state.

    While addressing traditional rulers from Isiukwuato at the palace of Eze Ezu Ukandu at Imenyi Kingdom, Ufomba said, given a prioritised attention to monarchs would help to enhance good governance and to spread democratic dividends to the people who live in the rural areas.

    According to Ufomba, bringing traditional rulers close to government would give them the opportunity to choose suitable plants for their communities in his agricultural revolutionary project, a cardinal objective of his administration.

    The governorship candidate, who is contesting the legality of Otti as a member of the party owing to the commando style he (Otti) was imposed on the state party by Chief Victor Umeh in court, pledged to re-introduce the moribund marketing board which he said would serve as a link between the government and the communities to ensure that excess goods produced would be bought from the farmers by the government to avoid waste.

    Ufomba, who promised that he would encourage indigenous contractors to execute some projects in their various communities through the help of traditional rulers, expressed hope that the process would also help to create jobs for the youth.

    Responding, the chairman, Abia North Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Okorie, thanked the candidate for the visit and for choosing his deputy from their area.

    Eze Okorie also urged him to ensure he fulfills his campaign promises if elected.

    They also offered a special prayer for Ufomba and for the success of the forthcoming general elections.

    Ufomba, who later moved to Uturu Secondary School to address his supporters and people of the area, promised the people of Isuikwuato that the erosion menace in the area would be addressed as he would ensure that it was controlled by the use of ecological funds.

    He said: “My administration would give free and quality education in the state, construct good roads, provide electricity and water and also create job opportunities. I urge you to cast your votes for APGA.”

    Also speaking, the Director-General Ochiagha Campaign Organisation, Prof. Mike Nwaubani who described Chief Ufomba as a rescuer who has come to transform the state, urged the people to use the opportunity created by INEC on the extension of PVC collection, to collect their cards to enable them to vote for APGA in the forthcoming general elections.

    Chief Ufomba also presented his running mate, Mrs. Christiana Duruoha to the people of Isiukwuato and Umunneochi.

    In a related development, Chief Ufomba has promised that he would hold election for the 17 local government areas in the state within six months of his administration as the governor of the state.

    Abia State was yet to conduct local government election since 2010 when the last elected local government chairmen served out their tenures.

    At a rally at Alaoji, Ugwunagbor Local Government Area, at the outskirts of Aba, Chief Ufomba lamented that local government administration in the entire council areas has suffered greatly because of the inability of the incumbent administration to hold elections, but instead have resorted using transitional committee chairmen.

    He said such executive control was not in the interest of the people at the grassroots where development was needed, stressing that the independent of the local council areas from executive control and being financially autonomous would ensure that development and dividend of democracy would be spread to the grassroots.

    “We shall conduct elections for the 17 local government areas in the state in six months of our administration to ensure that there are duly-elected local government administrations in the state. We will also ensure that money meant for the local government areas is equally shared among them so that the elected local government chairmen will have funds to work with and to attend to the needs of the people at the grassroots,” he said.

    Chief Ufomba, who reeled off some of the programmes he had in the offing which would be implemented as soon as his administration comes on board on May 29 also disclosed that he was going to establish grinding mills of about N10 billion in both Asa in Ukwa West and Arochukwu local government areas respectively which he said would be of economic benefit to the people of the areas. They included job creation and a free and compulsory education for Abians and its residents

    He appealed to both his supporters, Abians and Abia residents who were yet to get their voters’ card to do so, vote and defend their votes on the days of elections, stating that if the change everyone yearns for would be realised if they get their PVCs and vote wisely on the election days.

    He assured that Abians would enjoy more dividends of democracy when an APGA government which he would lead comes on board.

    Some of his supporters, who spoke separately in an interview promised the candidate of their full support and assured that they were going to cast their votes for the party come March 28 and April 11 elections.

  • Osun traditional rulers dissociate selves from endorsing Jonathan

    Some traditional rulers in Osun State have dissociated themselves from the purported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan as the preferred candidate for the March 28th presidential election.

    Meeting at the Akinrun Palace on Tuesday, the traditional rulers described endorsement of Jonathan by some traditional ruler at the Palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, as embarrassing to the traditional institution.

    Briefing newsmen shortly after their meeting, their spokesperson, the Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Abdulrauf Olayiwola Olawale, criticized the alleged share of dollar among the traditional rulers that attended the visit of the President Jonathan at Ooni’s palace.

    The monarch urged the people of the state to vote according to their conscience and not based on monetary gratification.

    In attendance at the meeting were the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Olayiwola Olawale Adedeji, Olokuku of Okuku, Oba Abioye Oyebode Oluronke II, Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Olunisa of Inisa, Oba Joseph Oladunjoye Fasikun II, Elende of Eko-Ende, Oba Rauf Adebayo Olaniyan, Oloyan of Oyan, Oba Kelani Adekeye Oyedare, Onirun of Oke-Irun, Oba Isaac Adetoyi Adetunlurese, Elerin of Erin-Osun, Oba Yusuf Omoloye Oyagbodun among others.

    Speaking further, the Akirun faulted use of beaded walking sticks by some traditional rulers to pray for Jonathan after adopting him their sole candidate.

    According to him, beaded walking sticks are not part of spiritual instruments to be used to pray for anyone in Yorubaland.

    He said: “It is unfortunate that the episode of the endorsement has become talk of the town. Many are even alleging that huge amount of hard currency was doled out to the traditional rulers. They believe that all traditional rulers in the state were involved in this.

    “It has gotten to a stage that some of our subjects are demanding their own share of the presidential largese which we knew nothing about. It is quite embarrassing. And this is the more reason we are coming out to tell the whole world that not all of endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “As traditional rulers we are not expected to be involved in partisan politics. But we can support government good policies and programmes that can promote development in our various domains. Our main concern should be supporting good governance, no more no less. It is, therefore, our wish and prayer that whoever emerges as the winner will be the one that will bring life more abundant to our people.”

    The monarch appealed to politicians to play the game according to the rule and avoid any form of violence before, during and after the elections.

    He also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission and all law enforcement agencies to ensure a level playing ground for all candidates.

    He warned that law enforcement agents should not allow themselves to be used to engage in unlawful arrest and harassment that may lead to disenfranchising anybody from exercising his or her fundamental human right of participating in the election.

  • Traditional rulers and the Jonathan campaign

    Traditional rulers and the Jonathan campaign

    Contrary to the view in many quarters that the institution of traditional authority has become archaic and anachronistic, the truth is that traditional rulers continue to play an influential role not only in the affairs of their various communities but in Nigeria as a whole. Many Nigerians, no matter how highly educated, still have strong attachment to their communal roots. They still owe enormous attachment to their customs and traditions. This is why even though we run a republican democracy formally millions of Nigerians still hold their various Obis, Obas, Emirs and other royalties in the highest esteem.

    The irony, indeed, is that the influence of the traditional institution has been enhanced in post-colonial Nigeria particularly during democratic dispensations. There is hardly any politician that can go campaigning in any part of the country without paying a courtesy call on the paramount traditional ruler of the area to pay homage and receive royal blessings. However, despite the reverence in which they are held by their people, traditional rulers too, most of the time, are wise to discern and defer to the popular political wishes and inclination of their people. The influence of the traditional ruler in politics is, therefore, largely symbolic even though it will be foolhardy of any serious aspirant to public office to take this influence for granted.

    It would appear, however, that the President Goodluck Jonathan administration has beaten all records in mobilizing traditional rulers for the harvesting of votes for the President’s re-election. One of the most interesting, even fascinating pictures in the Nigerian media in recent times is that of President Jonathan seated amid a semi -circle of some Yoruba traditional rulers pointing their royal walking sticks towards him most likely offering traditional prayers for his re-election. Dr Jonathan no doubt needs all the spiritual reinforcement he can get in an election that has become a veritable life and death battle for his political life. Thus, he kneels before Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to receive Christian blessings. He worships at the popular Winners Chapel in Ota, where the respected Bishop David Oyedepo leads the congregation in prayers for the president. And he bows humbly as the Yoruba Obas invoke the gods of Yoruba land to grant him his heart’s desire. There is apparently no contradiction in these spiritual adventures in quest of electoral victory come March 28.

    Yet, what is alarming are the widespread reports, which are yet to be convincingly denied, that the Jonathan re-election campaign has been spending money in an unprecedented manner bribing influential individuals and groups to ensure victory in the forthcoming election. This has been particularly so since the extension of the election by six weeks from the initial dates of February 14 and 28 when they should have held. In the period, the American dollar seems to have become the national currency. And this is where it becomes particularly troubling. For, the traditional rulers and royal fathers across the country are also said to be beneficiaries of the Jonathan campaign’s dollar rain.

    By now, I had expected a vehement and vigorous denial by the Jonathan campaign team and indeed the presidency of the exclusive report on page 5 of the Wednesday, March 18, edition of The Nation newspaper that President Jonathan has deployed some traditional rulers on a nationwide campaign to lobby support for him among their colleagues and the general populace.

    The eleven teams of traditional rulers are reportedly to meet and lobby the most prominent traditional rulers in the country to support the President’s re-election bid.

    Now, this report raises a number of critical questions. First, what are the financial implications of this initiative? Are the traditional rulers on the eleven teams simply acting out of conviction or have they been mobilised financially to perform this task? Again, has any amount of money been voted for the traditional rulers to be lobbied and if so how much? Is this kind of presumed wasteful expenditure wise or expedient at this time of severe economic down turn and increased national misery? What is the implication for the reputation, image and moral integrity of the traditional rulers involved?

    In the 2011 elections, it was the majority of the Nigerian electorate that gave President Jonathan what was emphatically a pan-Nigerian mandate. In the run up to that election, Jonathan undertook an intensive and aggressive nationwide campaign in which he reached out to the Nigerian people directly. He made over 90 documented promises covering promised projects across the length and breadth of the country. He has had four years to implement his promises and fulfil his social contract with the people. Why is it that four years later, he is seeking to reach the same people that voted massively for him in 2011 through their traditional rulers or Christian religious clerics? Even when he has been on the campaign trail to canvass for votes, why has Dr Jonathan’s emphasis been more on denigrating his main opponent, General MuhammaduBuhari, rather than projecting his record of achievements to the people?

    Many of the country’s traditional rulers are men of the highest character and integrity. They are unlikely to risk their hard earned reputations for a mess of pottage. But for those traditional rulers who accept political largesse and promise to do the bidding of the Jonathan campaign, what exactly will they tell their people? Will they convince their people that electricity supply has improved between 2011 and now? Will they tell their people that hunger and poverty have reduced? Will they magically convince the teeming unemployed that they are gainfully employed? Will they say that the unprecedented massive corruption witnessed under the Jonathan administration is not true after all and that the Jonathan administration is a model of moral integrity? I really find it difficult to understand what concrete purpose this mission to traditional rulers is meant to achieve.

    Indeed, by seeking to reach the people through such intermediaries as traditional rulers, religious clerics and ethnic militia groups like OPC and MASSOB, the Jonathan presidency creates the impression that it is severely alienated from the populace. In a highly monetised electioneering process like we are currently witnessing, trying to reach out to the people through intermediaries can be counter-productive. This is particularly so for the Jonathan campaign that is perceived as having an inexhaustible purse. People will naturally demand of those intermediaries making a case for Jonathan’s re-election, their own share of the largesse. This in itself implies a lack of confidence or trust in the credibility and integrity of the intermediary.

    In the final analysis, the elections of March 28 and February 11 will be determined by the will of the electorate rather than the diktat of traditional rulers, religious clerics or ethnic militants. The obvious shiftiness and unease of the Jonathan presidency as regards the elections; a fear that motivated its desperate push for its postponement by six weeks, shows that, despite all its shortcomings, Nigeria’s democracy is gradually coming of age. The votes and voices of the people matter. The electoral umpire, INEC, is gaining greater autonomy and it is increasingly more difficult for governments to take the people for granted.

    Ayodele Peters writes from Abuja

  • Traditional rulers declare support for APC candidates

    Traditional rulers in Etsako West, Central and East local government areas of Edo State have declared their support for Hon Philip Shaibu, who is running for the Etsako federal constituency in the general elections.

    Shaibu, who is presently the Majority Leader in the Edo State House of Assembly on the platform of the All Progressive Congress ( APC), got the nod of the traditional rulers when he flagged-off the second phase of his campaign in the constituency.

    Addressing his supporters in Ewora, Iyogba, Eware, Awan, Amai and Jagbe communities, Shaibu urged them not sell their voters cards to desperate politicians, who he said are only interested pauperising the electorate after getting into power.

    He said, “the only way to sustain this development the APC government has brought to the state is to vote the party in all the elections, starting from the presidential, senate, House of Representatives, and the state assemblies as the case may be. Our party is the only party that can affect the change the people are yearning for.”

    The lawmaker also promised to connect more rural communities with access roads if voted to represent the constituency.