Alaafin receives Owa Obokun, says ‘If Britain respects monarchy, Nigeria must preserve traditional institutions’

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has said if the British, “who colonised Nigeria and introduced liberal democracy still preserve their traditional institutions by making the Queen of England the Ceremonial Head of State with powers over the British Armed Forces, there is no justifiable reason to throw traditional rulers in Nigeria to the dustbin of modern politics and governance”.
Alaafin gave the admonition when the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in Oyo town.
Oba Adeyemi stated that since citizens who are the major
determiners of the success or otherwise of democratic and development programmes are under the traditional influence of Obas, the position of traditional rulers as  potent mobilisers, advisers, mediators, facilitators, adjudicators and nominators should be greatly harnessed.
“It is, therefore, suggested that the traditional institutions which are the only remnants of our pre-colonial political system must be preserved, promoted and strengthened through official constitutional recognitions and acknowledgement’’.
He lamented that traditional institutions had gone through thick and thin in the country’s political history from the pre-colonial, through the colonial and to the post-colonial eras.
He noted that from the pre-colonial era, the traditional institutions
have been strengthened and weakened, elevated and humiliated,
empowered and disempowered by emergent political/ruling class.
Before the coming of the Europeans, Oba Adeyemi submitted that
traditional rulers held sway not only as the recognized political
rulers of the states and kingdoms in Nigeria but also as the
custodians of the people’s history, culture, religions and economy.
According to him, ‘’the traditional institutions in the pre-colonial
Yorubaland had all elements of modern governmental systems and they
perfectly suited the social, political and economic situations of the
era with the overall goal of the welfare of the generality of the
people’’.
The paramount ruler continued,‘’ the advent of colonial rule and the
imposition of Western styles of government not only reduced the powers
and relevance of the traditional rulers but also made them subservient
to their subjects, the educated elite. Since independence in 1960, the
political statuses of traditional rulers have gone from bad to worse
with far reaching consequences for governance and administration in
the country’’.
Despite the century long disturbances and turbulence, Alaafin asserted
that the basic culture and civilization which the Yoruba have built,
endured and in fact political, economic, religious and intellectual
developments were not only promoted, but withstand the tests of time.
‘’The Yoruba developed a highly sophisticated system of government
with effective checks and balances, which was spiced with a high level
of gender consciousness. The Yoruba traditional system of government
is indeed and indisputably one of the oldest forms of democracy in the
world. The Yoruba have unique and rich cultures and civilizations which
have remained resilient to any foreign cultural domination in spite of
Yoruba contact with the Europeans. They Yoruba people have utilised
their rich cultural heritage to impact the Nigerian state positively
in various walks of life in the past’’.
 Oba Adeyemi strongly affirmed that traditional institutions,
particularly Yoruba Obas, are part of the working tools that could make democracy and development sustainable and consolidated in contemporary Yorubaland.
While describing the Owa Obokun as a ‘’ renowned author, and an erudite traditional ruler whose commitment and selfless contributions to educational development in the country still withstand the tests of time’’.
Earlier, Oba Aromolaran had described the Alaafin as “a visionary traditional ruler with intellectual values with wit and class, whose narrative and descriptive write-ups, coupled with a good retentive memory and a fantastic ability to remember dates and people is second to none.’’
The monarch said those opportune to have interaction with the Alaafin would surely testify that “a moment with him is like an exploratory adventure through the school of history”.
He added that Alaafin always make the best of every situation presented to him.
The royal father said he was in the palace to intimate the Alaafin on his 80th birthday ceremony scheduled for October in Ilesa, Osun State, and that he would want the monarch to personally attend the event.
Recalling his age long and fraternal relationship with the Alaafin, Oba Aromolaran enjoined traditional rulers to eschew acts inimical to peaceful co-existence, but embrace peace, unity and mutual understanding.