The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has insisted that the challenges facing the country cannot be solved unless the government involves traditional institutions in the decision-making process.
Oba Akanbi, who pointed out that traditional institutions must be recognized constitutionally, stressed that the “political style” of government cannot work in a country like Nigeria.
He said this Monday at the launch of his new book, “Codes of Kings,” held in Ikeja, Lagos state.
The monarch stressed that traditional rulers have a key role to play in the security and infrastructure development of towns and cities across the country.
He pointed out that the traditional institution can also play the role of controlling the activities of politicians by ensuring that their promises to the people are fulfilled.
He said: “We are the leaders of this nation; we are the closest to our people but we are being relegated. And I have a dream that if the kings start to do better; I want to prepare kings for a future where we can grow our democracy, our own brand of democracy is that kings and politicians work together.
“So the future of this country is the monarchical system of government. We can see that the military style of government will not work. We can see so much corruption on earth. So where are we headed with this kind of democracy if there is no one to check up on the politicians over corruption and bad governance? We want to prepare kings for this role.
“Like it or not, politicians cannot do it alone. All problems fall on the kings, including security issues. The government cannot handle security and infrastructure development without our input.”
Speaking about his new book, the monarch said: “The Code of Kings will serve as a guide on how to prepare; because what we are saying now is that kings are relegated and we want respect for our monarchy and we want them to represent the culture and traditions and not the home religion of some people. Kings are representatives of the gods on earth. Kings must bow to nothing but the creator who owns them. Traditions and culture are the way we greet and wear our clothes; It’s not about religion. So I’m a custodian of religion and culture; religion leaves the palace. There is much in the code of kings.”
While reviewing the book, American Council of Scholars Member and Senior Lecturer, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ilé-Ifè, Òsun, Dr. Adeola Faleye said the 359-page book contains the monarch’s position and disposition on various issues of concern. which include Iwo land development achievements.
Faleye said that some parts of the book were chronological historical accounts of the institutionalization of the ancient city of Iwo.
He also revealed that the book also talked about religion and the monarchical institution in Yorubaland, while the monarch also devoted some chapters to his account from his birth, his stay in Canada and how he became an Oluwo.
He added: “This is useful material for this generation, for those yet to be born, and for leading researchers. Anyone who is longing for a critical book that provides information on Iwo, on Yoruba cultural values and the new order, and needs an attitude review towards the cultural and kingship perspective, from a royal perspective, this book will easily serve such purposes”.
