A Yoruba Oba Cannot Ban Politicians From His Land: My Open Letter to the Oluwo of Iwo
I am writing this as a concerned Nigerian and a proud son of Yorubaland. I am still trying to understand how a first-class monarch in Yorubaland could make the kind of statement that the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, made last Thursday.
According to reports, the Oluwo declared that only President Bola Tinubu would be allowed to campaign in Osun State ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He went further to say that opposition candidates — including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and other presidential hopefuls — should not come to Osun for campaigns.
I am deeply shocked. This is not the kind of statement one expects from a revered Yoruba monarch.
No King Has Such Powers
Let us be clear: no traditional ruler in Nigeria has the constitutional or legal right to ban any citizen, presidential candidate, or political party from campaigning in any part of this country. Not a king. Not a governor. Not even the President himself. Nigeria is a democratic federation, and every part of this land belongs to all Nigerians. Campaigning is a fundamental part of our electoral process, and any attempt to block it is not only unconstitutional but also a threat to the peace and unity of our nation.
Imagine the Reversal
Let us think about this honestly. What if the Emirs in the North were to announce that President Tinubu is banned from campaigning in their domains? What if the traditional rulers in the South-East or South-South declared that the President should not set foot in their territories? Would that not be condemned as dangerous, divisive, and unconstitutional? So why should it be acceptable when a Yoruba Oba says the same thing about opposition candidates?
What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
Our Traditional Rulers Must Stay Above Partisan Politics
My candid advice to all our traditional rulers, especially in Yorubaland, is this: please stay away from partisan politics. Embrace all political parties. See all politicians — whether in power or in opposition — as your subjects. Do not take sides. Yes, the incumbent president is a Yoruba man, but that does not mean one of our respected Obas should place a ban on other contestants from visiting his community. That is not royalty; that is partisan politics dressed in traditional robes.
A true father of the land welcomes all his children, regardless of their political beliefs.
Appreciating Our Non-Partisan Monarchs
I must use this opportunity to appreciate the wisdom and maturity of several Yoruba traditional rulers who have consistently stayed above the political fray and remained fathers to all. These include:
- Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, the Alaafin of Oyo
- Oba (Dr.) Victor Adesimbo Ademefun Kiladejo (Jilo III), the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom
- Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, the Alake of Egbaland
- Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti
- Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), the Ooni of Ife
Their non-partisan approach continues to earn them respect across political and ethnic divides.
A Lesson from History
There is a reason our elders say that those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. This partisanship is exactly what led to one of the most famous dethronements in Yoruba history. In 1955, Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Action Group government removed Oba Adeyemi Adeniran II, the Alaafin of Oyo, from power. The reasons were clear: the Alaafin had openly campaigned for the rival NCNC party during the 1954 local government elections, set up private courts within his palace to undermine the government’s judicial reforms, and even urged his people to resist paying government taxes. His partisan politics turned the palace into a political battlefield, and the consequences were severe.
Conclusion
Our traditional rulers are symbols of culture, unity, and peace. Their palaces should remain open to all law-abiding citizens and political leaders, irrespective of party affiliation. By staying neutral, they will continue to command the respect, honour, and confidence of all Nigerians and preserve the dignity of the traditional institution for future generations.
God bless Yorubaland. God bless Nigeria.
Otunba Ademola Akinnola
Opinion Columnist_
Public Affairs Commentator and Advocate for Good Governance
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