Osun monarch, the Osinlade of Osi-Okero Ife, Oba Thomas Adeboye Ademiluyi, has joined the growing call for traditional rulers to have defined constitutional roles in government.
Speaking at his coronation and presentation of the staff of office on the 2nd of April, 2025, in Osi-Okero, Ife South Local Government Area, Oba Ademiluyi emphasized the vital role monarchs play in governance at the grassroots level.
He pointed out that traditional rulers are the closest to the people, making their involvement crucial for even development across local communities.
“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,” he said.
The monarch stressed that integrating traditional rulers into governance would accelerate grassroots development and improve local communities.
READ ALSO: Traditional rulers, relevant stakeholders workout security plan for South-West
“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.”
Backing the establishment of a House of Chiefs, he described it as a necessary step to give monarchs a structured voice in governance.
“Of course, I am in support of a House of Chiefs for traditional rulers as the second arm of the state legislature,” he said.