Osun monarch, the Osinlade of Osi-Okero Ife, Oba Thomas Adeboye Ademiluyi, has added his voice to the call for the inclusion and constitutional roles of traditional rulers in government functions.
Oba Ademiluyi also said the inclusion of traditional rulers would bring about even development to the grassroots and local communities.
The monarch made the call during his coronation and presentation of the staff of office on Wednesday in Osi-Okero, Ife South Local Government Area of Osun State.
Oba Ademiluyi held that constitutional provisions for traditional rulers define government since they are at the grassroots.
He said, “You know, when you talk of local governments, you talk of wards. Any election that will be held in Nigeria will be from different towns, of which the king is the head.
“Involving traditional rulers will bring about grassroots development. It will also facilitate the upgrading of local communities.
“So automatically, they should be involved in the political system in the country. This is because they are the ones that know what their people need. They are the representatives of their people to the government.
“You cannot define governance in Nigeria without including the traditional rulers.”
He also called for a House of Chiefs to make this feasible.
He said, “Of course, I am in support of a House of Chiefs for traditional rulers as the second arm of the state legislature.”
