ROYAL FATHERS MUST REMAIN NON-PARTISAN, NOT SILENT — DOTUN SANUSI URGES MAKINDE TO EMBRACE DIALOGUE WITH OYO OBAS

The Okanlomo Oodua and Gbonka Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, has called for mutual respect, restraint and constructive dialogue between the political leadership of Oyo State and the traditional institution.

Chief Sanusi made the call while reacting to reports and a video circulating in which the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, was quoted as warning that traditional rulers who engage in partisan politics should be prepared to lose the privileges and respect attached to their thrones.

While acknowledging the importance of political neutrality among traditional rulers, Chief Sanusi stressed that neutrality must never be interpreted as silence, submission or intimidation, particularly when issues affecting the welfare, security and dignity of the people arise.

According to him, Nigeria’s traditional institution remains an important pillar of cultural identity, peace-building, community leadership and social cohesion, and therefore deserves respect, constructive engagement and partnership from elected authorities.

“No reasonable person will encourage our revered Obas to abandon their sacred responsibilities and become partisan politicians. Our traditional rulers are fathers to all. They must remain custodians of culture, peace, history and the collective conscience of their people.

“But we must also ask: Does neutrality mean silence in the face of suffering? Should an Oba close his eyes when insecurity consumes his communities? Should a king remain silent when his people cannot afford food, when roads are abandoned, schools deteriorate and young people lose hope?” he asked.

Chief Sanusi emphasised the distinction between partisan political activity and legitimate public responsibility, noting that a traditional ruler can remain neutral among political parties while still speaking responsibly on matters affecting his people.

“An Oba may not campaign for a political party, but an Oba has a moral responsibility to defend his people.

“A traditional ruler may not wear party colours, but he cannot be forbidden from speaking about hunger, insecurity, poverty, development and justice.

“A king should not become a political agent. But neither should he become a political prisoner,” he stated.

The Okanlomo Oodua further reminded political leaders that elected offices and political administrations are temporary, whereas traditional institutions represent generations of history, culture, identity and continuity.

“Power is temporary. Office is temporary. Political authority is temporary. But institutions built upon centuries of history deserve humility and restraint from everyone privileged to occupy public office,” he said.

Chief Sanusi also called for a clearer understanding of the distinct but complementary responsibilities of elected governments and traditional institutions.

According to him, while the Governor is an elected leader with constitutional responsibilities, the Oba serves as a custodian of the history, culture, traditional identity and communal heritage of his people.

“Both institutions have different roles, but both must work together for the people. The relationship between government and traditional rulers must never become that of master and servant,” he stressed.

He further cautioned against redefining political neutrality in a manner that allows traditional rulers to support government programmes but brands their independent concerns or criticism as partisan political activity.

“Let us be careful not to redefine neutrality as submission.

“If political leaders can visit palaces during campaigns, seek royal blessings, celebrate photographs with monarchs and invoke traditional legitimacy when convenient, then they must equally respect the dignity and independence of the traditional institution when inconvenient questions arise,” he said.

Chief Sanusi clarified that his intervention should not be interpreted as a personal attack on Governor Seyi Makinde, but rather as a defence of institutional principles, mutual respect and democratic values.

“This is not an attack on Governor Seyi Makinde. It is a defence of principle.

“Tomorrow, another Governor will occupy Agodi Government House. Tomorrow, another political party will be in power. But the traditional institution will remain.

“That is why every political leader must exercise caution, humility and respect in dealing with our revered royal fathers,” he said.

He consequently called on traditional rulers across Oyo State to remain firmly non-partisan while continuing to speak responsibly and constructively on matters affecting their communities.

“Our royal fathers should remain non-partisan. Yes.

“They should not become instruments of political parties. Absolutely.

“But they must never be intimidated into silence when the welfare, security and dignity of their people are at stake,” he added.

Chief Sanusi concluded by urging all stakeholders to preserve the dignity of both democratic governance and the traditional institution, while promoting dialogue rather than confrontation.

“Let there be mutual respect. Let there be constitutional boundaries. Let there be political neutrality. But above all, let there be dignity.

“Kabiyesi is not above the law. The Governor is not above criticism. And no institution should be intimidated for standing with the people.

“This is the balance that wisdom demands. This is the path that democracy requires. And this is the respect that Oyo State deserves.”