In my upcoming book – The Power List, I reserved a chapter on the traditional institutions and their role in national cohesion
Ogiame Atuwatse III CFR wrote a brilliant epistle but his seminal treatise will not go very far in redressing the pitiable state the institution he so elegantly represents have fallen into.
The Awujale’s burial was said to have been mired by the controversy of him being buried in an Islamic way and with his core constituency – the traditionanalists not allowed anywhere near his burial
Apparently, the highly respected monarch had triggered an edict that was passed to law allowing Traditional monarchs to ‘dodge’.
For me, the traditional seats are no longer highly exalted, they have turned into a costume parading, owambe engaging parody of what they used to be
Only a hand full like the aforementioned Awujale, the Olu of Warri, the Oba of Benin, Obi of Onitsha and the young ruler of the ancient city of Arochukwu and a few others still maintain the prestige and mystic of Traditional ruler ship
The problem of the institution is plenty – politics, dynamism of society, economy amongst others
Democracy has played a major role in the desecration of the institution and not in the sense of egalitarianism but in the meddlesomness of politicians for their personal ambitions.
Politcians have interfered in the process of installation, affixing guy men as rulers with the sole purpose of working towards the set rules and objectives.
The whole of South west Nigeria is littered by kings and Obas, almost at every street corners and their roles are very clear – mobilisation
One Governor of Oyo state appointed 53 in one fell swoop, leading OBJ to ask all of them to stand up showing the total disregard of what they represent.
In achieving these, the process of selection is weakend, tradition id kept in abeyance and Culture suffers
We now see kings who report to either a Commisioner of Cheiftaincy affairs or Local Government Chairmen being just civil servants and as such subjected to civil service rules with retirement being the only exception- they even have to apply for leave and martenity leave where applicable.
It is no wonder that quality of crown heads have dropped to the point that people now backslap kings at parties and hug them and spray them
The economy is amother factor.
To run the palaces and keep up appearances, the King’s have to chase contracts, position themselves to receive patronage, sell cheiftaincy titles and even receive appearance fees to attend events
I once tried to invite a first class ruler in Nigeria to one of our plays which had to do with his ancestors, if you see the bill i got for his appearance, I ran.
These economic challenges exposes them to disrespect, humiliation and the zombification of what they represent
It is this weakening that has now started affecting almost all the statutes that govern the institution as we now have kings for hire complete with costumes and other accessories with no extra charge.
What can be done. The traditional religion which is the bastion of traditional monarchy must be reformed and strengthened.
I once visited a shrine in Abeokuta to watch a worship and was amazed at what I saw
The adherents were still wringing the necks of the chicken and pouring the blood on somethings and using the feathers to do something.
The whole thing looked one kind and I asked them if there was no other way this could be done attractively as I didn’t see young people who are needed to carry on coming to this shrine to be part of this.
The British monarchy is as old as most of these our institutions if not all but it continues to be relevant cos of its penchant for reforms
Rules are being changed and enhanced ever so regularly.
When the Queens brother abdicated, the rules were changed so that the monarchy can accept another line of ascendancy.
Our own must not be afraid of its own rules to the extent of running away from them
We all saw how Queen Elizabeth was buried with ancient rituals in an ancient sepulchar used to bury her great ancestors
Our own Baba ‘dodge’ hiding under religion after representing a tradition and a people for the longest ever reign in their history
That action have further weakened the stool, its traditions and its people.
It has exposed it to more meddling as politicians would hijack the process of selection and make sure their ‘man’ is installed
Did you guys read about the face off between this Awujale and his Governor Onabanjo.
Did you see how he stood up against the Governor who tried to bully him. Did you see how he fought back very bravely when he was deyhroned?
Which of these present day Monarchs can do that abi didnt we see two, very recently derobe and dress like commoners to go and beg their benefactor over some intransigies?
The Awujale who represented the elegance of the stool also threw in a curve ball by triggering that edict and accepting to be buried in the way he was
In conclusion, the question must then be asked- is the traditional rulership system still relevant seeing that they are mostly just another layer of cost in our public expenditure model not playing any very significant role in national development.
I have no answers but to help you, kindly read – Awujales burial and Aso Rocks graveside politics-by Festus Adedayo and published 20th July, 2025 for a better understanding of the issue that i have tried to discuss
I can now be beaten
Thanks
Duke of Shomolu