Oluwo Of Iwo Seeks More Involvement Of Traditional Institutions In Decision-making Process

Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, Oluwo of Iwo Kingdom has insisted that the challenges facing the country cannot be solved unless the government involves the traditional institutions in the decision-making process.

The monarch, who noted that the traditional institutions should be constitutionally recognised, added that the ‘politician-style’ of government cannot work in a country like Nigeria.

He said this on Monday at the launch of his new book, “Codes of Kings” held in Ikeja, Lagos State.

The monarch emphasised that the traditional rulers have a key role to play in the security and infrastructural development of towns and cities across the country.

He further explained that the traditional institution can also play the role of checking the activities of politicians by ensuring their promises to the people are fulfilled.

He said, “We are the leaders of this nation; we are the closest to our people but we are being relegated. And I have a dream that if kings start doing better; I want to prepare kings for a future where we can grow our democracy, our own style of democracy is for kings and politicians to work together.

“So, the future of this country is the monarchical system of government. We can see that the military style of government will not work. We can see so much corruption in the land. So, where are we heading with this kind of democracy if there is nobody to check politicians on corruption and bad governance? We want to prepare kings for this role.

“Either they like it or not, politicians cannot do it alone. Every problem falls on the kings, including security issues. Government cannot handle the security, and infrastructural development without our input.”