By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Traditional rulers urge dialogue amid protests
Traditional rulers in Nigeria have called on the organizers of the #EndBadGovernance protests to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Federal Government. Warning against the protests being hijacked by harmful elements, the Ooni of Ife, emphasized the need for a constructive approach.
“People that are out there to protest, it is their civic right. But let them put a face to it, and don’t let it be hijacked by people that have ulterior motives. That is our stand,” said Oba Adeyeye after an expanded cabinet meeting at the State House, Abuja.The traditional rulers, including the Ooni, urged youths to avoid looting and breaking down law and order, advocating for a peaceful and dialogue-driven approach to addressing grievances. The Ooni noted, “We are parents. We are traditional rulers. We are closer to them. We are going to go back home and continue to engage them.”
This call for dialogue comes in response to planned nationwide protests against economic hardship, scheduled for August 1-15, 2024. The Federal Government’s meeting with traditional rulers was a proactive step to prevent potential crises and foster understanding.
The Ooni appealed to organizers to embrace dialogue, highlighting the government’s openness to discussions. “The President has said, ‘Any leader that you don’t like, wait (until 2027) and vote him out.’ He is open to dialogue. We know that Nigeria faces many challenges. But are we going to destroy our nation by ourselves? Is that what we’re all after?”
Oba Adeyeye stressed the importance of unity and constructive engagement, stating, “It is very difficult to build, but it is the easiest to destroy. We are all stakeholders in this country and are stronger as a nation than individually.”
The meeting marked the first direct engagement between the Federal Executive Council and traditional rulers, providing a platform for honest communication and feedback. “Today is the very first time we will be addressed properly by the Federal Executive Council…in terms of the plans of government, their achievements so far, and where they’re having challenges. So, there is a proper bridge between the governed and the people in charge of government,” explained Oba Adeyeye.
Other traditional rulers echoed these sentiments. The Dein of Agbor Kingdom, Ikenchukwu Keagborokuzi I, urged Nigerian youths to work with the government, recognizing their strength and potential. He stated, “We feel your pain. I’m a young person myself. It’s been 24 years since I’ve started seeing the nation going in a very unpalatable direction. This protest, I know that it’s very tight in our neck, but let us not destroy our own country.”
The Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli, emphasized the importance of addressing insecurity to stabilize the country, linking it to Nigeria’s food crisis. He highlighted, “If the security situation is addressed, certainly people will go back to their farms, and the issue of hunger will drastically reduce and disappear.”
The traditional rulers’ concern for the nation’s well-being was clear, as they called for patience and wisdom in addressing the current challenges. They remained optimistic about Nigeria’s future, believing in the strength and resilience of the country.
Traditional Rulers Urge Dialogue Amid Protests.