President Bola Tinubu has been urged to consider the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs.
This call was made by the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi in a statement obtained by Media Talk Africa on Thursday in Osogbo.
Oba Akanbi, who in the statement said the involvement of traditional rulers in governance through a separate ministry and constitutional empowerment will address many challenges, especially insecurity, described the place of traditional rulers in a democratic setting as sacrosanct.
While calling on the federal government to take a leave from the government of the old Western Region when Western House of Chiefs was created with First class monarchs serving as Ministers without portfolio, the Osun monarch noted that the singular act and the role played by the appointed monarchs contributed in no small measure to the success of the administration.
“I want to suggest the appointment of a monarch as Minister for the ministry. I further propose that the appointment should be rotational amongst the six geo-political zones of the country.
“The traditional institution is an integral part of government and closest to the grassroots. The traditional rulers dedicate themselves to serving their subjects. We play a pivotal role in securing our respective domain and ensure peaceful co existence.
“Creating the ministry will give a constitutional role, empower the traditional institution, endear monarchs to democratic participation, reassure belongingness, strengthen grassroots mobilization and participation with all inclusive dividends of democracy,” Oba Akanbi suggested.
