The Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdulrasaq Adenugba, has called for a constitutional amendment to return meaningful authority to traditional rulers in Nigeria, saying their current role is too limited to make real impact at the grassroots, Peak Newspaper reports.
The Ogun State monarch made the call while sharing life lessons and reflections on leadership, governance, and community development. According to him, traditional institutions were historically central to administration, security, and dispute resolution before their powers were gradually eroded by modern governance structures.
Oba Adenugba argued that restoring defined constitutional roles to traditional rulers would strengthen local governance, improve security, and deepen citizens’ trust in leadership, especially at the community level where monarchs command respect and cultural legitimacy.
He noted that traditional rulers are closer to the people and better positioned to understand local challenges, adding that excluding them from decision-making has weakened grassroots development efforts.
The monarch also urged political leaders to see traditional institutions as partners rather than ceremonial figures, stressing that a well-defined constitutional role would enhance collaboration between elected officials and royal fathers.
His remarks have reignited debate on the place of traditional rulers in Nigeria’s democracy, with supporters saying constitutional backing could improve governance, while critics warn against overlapping authority with elected offices.
