Traditional rulers in Nigeria discuss security and governance

Traditional rulers and political leaders in Nigeria are emphasizing the importance of local authority in addressing national challenges. At a colloquium organized by the Sultan Maccido Institute for Peace, Leadership and Development Studies at the University of Abuja, Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola highlighted the role of traditional rulers as formidable stakeholders in fostering security, sustainable development, and good governance.

Governor Oyetola identified poverty, inequitable resource allocation, injustice, and illiteracy as primary drivers of insecurity across Nigeria. He advocated for innovative governance styles at federal, state, and local levels to combat these issues.

In a separate discussion, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti and Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, discussed the origins of the Amotekun security outfit. He noted that the idea for a regional security force was conceived by a committee of traditional rulers to prevent criminals from moving between contiguous states in Yorubaland.