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By Tunde Thomas
As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, political leaders and their supporters have been advised against making provocative statements or taking any action capable of threatening the nation’s unity.
Making the appeal in an interview with Sunday Sun, a first class traditional ruler in Lagos State, Oba Azeez Gbadabiu Asiwaju implored political leaders to educate their supporters and followers on the need to avoid any act capable of plunging the nation into anarchy.
Oba Asiwaju who is the Onikotun of Ikotunland in Lagos State also spoke on other national issues.
What’s your reaction to the insecurity in some parts of the country?
It is very frightening. It is very unfortunate. It is very sad that bandits, kidnappers, insurgents, and other criminal elements are on the prowl making life difficult for Nigerians. Travelling has now become a nightmare as our highways and roads have become operational bases for criminals targeting travellers, businessmen, students and other road users. It was never like this before until some years back when the nation started experiencing this unfortunate situation. These criminals have become a serious national threat as nobody is spared during their evil operations. But thank God, the federal government has stepped up efforts to combat them. We cannot continue like this. These terrorists and kidnappers must be caged. They can’t be more powerful than the government. Imagine, before now in some parts of the country, the insurgents, Boko Haram, Lakurawa, and others were even bold enough to be collecting taxes from Nigerians in some local government areas. What an insult. But thank God, the Federal government has been providing crucial support to the members of the Armed Forces who are waging war against these criminals. There can be only one captain in a ship. The insurgents can never and should never be allowed to become another authority on their own. These criminals should not only be caged and contained but they should be neutralised for Nigeria to have peace.
The Federal Government has adopted state police as part of efforts to tackle insecurity. What’s your take on that?
It is a welcome development. Many Nigerians for a long time have been canvassing state police but thank God that the present government has finally yielded to the call. I believe that state police will help compliment the work of the Nigeria Police. They will work together in harmony in order to achieve the desired results. In other parts of the world, even in the United States, we have the federal police and the state police working together harmoniously without any acrimony.
For those who are expressing fear that some state governors might turn state police into instruments of terror against their political opponents, such fears should not be dismissed with a wave of the hands My advice to the Federal Government is that they should ensure that the necessary mechanisms are put in place to prevent abuse of state police by the state governors. There should be checks and balances to prevent state governors from turning a good idea into a nightmare.
Some Nigerians are canvassing the death penalty for kidnappers, insurgents and bandits. What’s your position on this?
These criminals deserve no mercy. They have become a source of sorrow to many homes and families. They have become a thorn in the flesh of government officials. They are giving Nigeria a bad image in the international community. They have wasted so many lives, and they are still wasting more. There is nothing wrong if kidnappers and bandits are executed. Death sentence will serve as a deterrent. These criminals are no respecter of anybody. They kidnap and kill Army Generals, traditional rulers, clerics, youth corps members, students and others. It is time that we contain them. It is heart-warming that the Federal Government, through our soldiers and other security agencies are taking the battle back to the strongholds of these criminals. The federal government should provide more arms and logistics to members of the Armed Forces. Nigerians deserve to have peace. Travelling should not become a nightmare for Nigerians. Farmers should not be afraid to go to the farm. Nigeria of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s was not like this. We should not allow some criminals to turn Nigeria to a jungle.
Nigeria just turned 66. What’s your view of Nigeria at 66?
We thank God that has kept us together as one nation. But the dreams and visions of the nation’s founding fathers have not been realised. The vision of the nation’s founding fathers was for Nigeria to be a great nation, a nation flowing with land and honey. But here we are, we are still struggling 66 years after. But all hopes are not lost. We will continue to pray for our leaders. I believe that Nigeria will still become a great nation. Our leaders should change their attitude towards governance. They should see leadership positions as an opportunity to serve, and not an avenue to loot the nation. There should be attitudinal change on the part of our leaders. They should be service oriented. I will also advise all Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of patriotism. We should all embrace the idea of making Nigeria great. As the saying goes, Rome was not built in a day. If we adopt the right attitude, surely we will get the desired results for Nigeria.
What are your views on the calls being made by some Nigerians that there should be increased roles for traditional rulers in governance?
I support the idea. Royal fathers should be given more roles to play in government. This is not saying that royal fathers should be involved in partisan politics. Royal fathers should be given advisory roles to play because of their age and wisdom. Our leaders can also from time to time seek advice from traditional rulers. No leader has a monopoly of knowledge and wisdom. Traditional rulers’ fatherly advice is very valuable, and it will add value to governance.
What’s your assessment of Nigeria’s democracy since 1999?
Thank God for the return to democracy after so many years of military rule. Successive governments have been in charge both at the federal and states level. They have not fared badly. But they should still do more. must be allowed to enjoy or reap dividends of democracy. More jobs should be created. There should be more infrastructural development across the country. Unemployment should be reduced. More hospitals should be constructed. Our highways should not become death traps for travellers. Security should be enhanced. Then our political leaders should be tolerant of opposing views. We are in a democracy, and one of the beauty of democracy is to allow freedom of expression. Alternative views should be allowed.
Some Nigerians are saying that the presidential system of government we have adopted is too expensive, especially talking about the jumbo pay, salaries and allowances being collected by public office holders. What’s your opinion on this?
It is true that many Nigerians have been complaining about the jumbo salaries and allowances being collected by public office holders, but my view on that is that I will advise our political leaders to ensure that their salaries and allowances are not on the high side to the extent that the execution of developmental projects is harmed. Their motto should always be, people first. Our leaders should be selfless, patriotic, and people-oriented. They should remember that without the people, they will not be there. They will not be holding the various positions they are holding. Our leaders should not be greedy, deceitful and unpatriotic.
What’s your assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration?
Traditional rulers are not politicians. We are royal fathers. We are fathers to all. But the Holy Books, both the Quran, and the Holy Bible enjoins us to pray for our leaders. We are to pray for those in leadership positions. I pray for President Tinubu that Almighty Allah will continue to give him the wisdom and knowledge to lead this nation. Allah will continue to bless him with wisdom to do what will make Nigeria a great nation. I also pray for other leaders at different levels of government that Allah will continue to guide their footsteps.
How has it been being a traditional ruler for over 25 years?
I thank Allah for his mercy and grace that has been guiding my footsteps. Leadership, especially when you are a traditional ruler, is very challenging. It is challenging because you are a father to all. While I appreciate the series of efforts that the successive governments in Lagos State have made, I would like to appeal that here in Ikotunland we still need more government assistance and support for us. The Lagos State government has been taking care of us but like Oliver Twist we are still asking more. I pray for our past governors, and the current governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Almighty Allah will continue to bless you all.
With the 2027 general elections fast approaching, what’s your advice to the nation’s political leaders?
They should not see the election as a battle. Nigeria should not be turned into a battlefield because of 2027. Politics is like a game. You win some time, you lose some time. The purpose of offering yourself for elective position is to serve and not to kill or become violent or desperate to win at all cost. 2027 should not be seen as a do or die affair. Political leaders should educate their followers and supporters to shun violence. Campaign rallies by political parties should be avenues to sell party manifestoes. Campaigns should be issue oriented. Our political leaders should say no to violence. Campaign rallies should not be turned to avenues to hurl insults or abusive words against opponents. Political leaders should not do anything that will threaten the nation’s peace and unity.
I also appeal to the INEC, and other stakeholders, including the security agencies, that everybody should do its job with professionalism. Nigeria’s peace and the nation’s wellbeing should be paramount on everybody’s mind.
