Royal fathers deserve constitutional roles

By Ayantunde Ayangbayi

Over the years, this issue has been on the front burner. For obvious reason, looking at the current security situation in the country, the time to emphasise on the relevance of assigning constitutional roles for traditional rulers is now.

It has been observed by many stakeholders that, no matter the level of their training and expertise, security personnel cannot know a community more than the owners of the community or the chiefs of the area. Members of the community know everybody, including visitors.

In other words, traditional rulers or royal fathers who are the rulers of kingdoms and communities are better informed and have more sociological knowledge that can enhance intelligence and security of the society.

But in Nigeria, the big challenge is the fact that traditional rulers have no legal power to contribute effectively in governance despite their experience and knowledge. It is a major constitutional issue that successive governments have not been able to address.

Notably, traditional institutions have vital roles to play in fostering peace, progress and unity in the society. Their counsels, wisdom and the vast knowledge of their cultural and traditional society make them indispensable assets in resolving conflicts and restoring peace and order.

For instance, the institution of Olupo-in-Council constitutes a veritable pillar of peace, amity, justice, progress and peaceful co-existence, and so His Royal Majesty, Kabiyesi Alaiyeluwa Oba (Barrister) Ismail Bolaji Yahaya, Atoloye Alebiosu, Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Chairman, Irepodun LG Traditional Council in Kwara state is a great asset whose wealth of experience and wisdom have brought peace and tranquility to his kingdom.

His Royal Majesty Alebiosu, a first class monarch in Kwara state, works diligently for the preservation of the country’s unity and Irepodun LGA in particular.

His recent prompt attention to the breach of peace at Kara Market in his domain on Friday, August 12, 2022, between a group of by-passers and Fulani herders confirmed that he has a personal stake in the security and peace of the country, his domain, and, Igbomina land of Kwara state.

The Kara Market, along Ilorin/Lokoja federal highway in Kwara state, is a Fulani settlement with people coming weekly on market days to buy and sell their farm produce, purchase of cattle, etc.

Until on August 12, 2022, used to be peaceful co-existence among diverse ethnic groups in the area when an unfortunate incident that is supposed to be resolved snowballed into a clash that claimed four lives, disrupted socio-economic activities that threatened to undermine their age-long unity.

It was an obviously avoidable man-made affliction on a community that is known for peaceful co-existence.

Kabiyesi Alaiyeluwa Oba Ismail Bolaji Yahaya, Atoloye Alebiosu, Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, known for his tenacity, resilience, intelligence and comportment, did not waste time to engage security operatives at the state and locally to quell the breach of peace and restore normalcy to the market almost immediately.

As a moralist, Kabiyesi Oba Ismail Bolaji Yahaya Alebiosu, conscious of culture, is a custodian of tradition and values that guide and protect the sanctity of Olupo-In-Council and the Igbomina race to the admiration of all and sundry.

To the royal father, peace is non-negotiable. “Peace is a major ingredient for socio-economic emancipation and stable political development of any society in the world. Peace must not elude my people in Ajase-Ipo and the entire Igbomina land”, Oba Atoloye Alebiosu emphasised.

This writer believes that Oba (Barrister) Ismail Bolaji Yahaya, Olupo of Ajase-Ipo deserves applause for providing timely information to the state police command to resolve the fracas and inform appropriate authorities to bring the situation back to normalcy and for peace to reign.

Our impactful Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq should also be commended for the visit to Ajase-Ipo the following day Saturday, August 13, 2022, to see things for himself and charging the people to live in peace and harmony. This is very thoughtful and appreciated.

As peace returns to Kara Cattle Market, Kabiyesi Oba Yahaya Bolaji Atoloye Alebiosu advised the people not to display their products, produce and goods near the highway. He admonished them to move into the market to avoid embarrassment, unfortunate incidence and disaster to the people and their products.

The natural ruler banned the sale of alcohol and hard drugs at the Kara Market, assuring that defaulters will face the law squarely. Finally, he charged the people in the market to continue to embrace peace and live in harmony: “People must not take laws into their hands arbitrarily”, he admonished.

It was a show of solidarity and ability to embrace peace in the face of daunting challenges, even in line with Kwara state’s appellation as “State of Harmony”. We, as a people, must be harmonious, peace-loving and united to move the state forward.

On the whole, this journalist is impressed like many people have expressed satisfaction and commendation with the activities and performances of His Royal Majesty, Kabiyesi Alaiyeluwa Oba (Barrister) Ismail Bolaji Yahaya, Atoloye Alebiosu, Olupo of Ajase-Ipo on his resolution of conflict(s) in his domain.

As the monarch matches on in royalty with dignity and grace, he represents the change in traditional institution; he beckons on success, even where and when success is rare. That is the fruit of learning and exposure. The peace advocate and custodian of tradition and culture is the traditional ruler for historical reference now and in future.

May the days ahead bring greater height to His Royal Majesty, Kabiyesi Alaiyeluwa Oba (Barrister) Ismail Bolaji Yahaya, Atoloye Alebiosu, Olupo of Ajase-Ipo for all that his forefathers represented: love, affection willingness to rise beyond ethnic/religious tolerance, and, most importantly, service to mankind.

Mr. Ayangbayi (JP), a journalist, writes from Ilorin, Kwara state.