Oyo Governor Makinde Urges Traditional Rulers to Shun Partisan Politics

The Governor of Oyo State and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has issued a firm public advisory urging traditional rulers across the state to steer clear of partisan politics. Speaking on Saturday at a high-profile event that doubled as the conferment of an honorary traditional title, Makinde stressed that monarchs must remain politically neutral if their offices are to retain the respect of all communities in Oyo and beyond. The call once again puts the spotlight on the relationship between traditional institutions and electoral contests in Makinde traditional rulers partisan politics debates that have resurfaced across Nigeria’s south-west in 2026.

The governor’s position, according to aides who attended the ceremony, is rooted in the belief that traditional stools belong to the people, not to any political party. He reportedly told the gathering that the influence of obas, baales, and other recognised monarchs should be deployed for community development, peace-building, and cultural preservation rather than campaign mobilisation. The statement adds a notable voice to the recurring conversation about where the boundary lies between royal influence and partisan loyalty in Africa’s largest democracy.

Why the Governor Raised the Concern About Traditional Rulers

Makinde’s advisory did not emerge in a vacuum. Across Nigeria’s six south-west states and across much of the country, traditional rulers have, over the past three electoral cycles, found themselves increasingly drawn into the rough-and-tumble of party contests. From open endorsements to quiet financial support for candidates, monarchs in some communities have acted more like political patrons than neutral fathers of their people. Makinde’s remarks appear designed to draw a clear line, reminding royal fathers that their authority predates, and should outlast, any government in office.

Observers say the governor is also responding to a pattern that has played out in several states. In some local government areas, monarchs have been accused of using their palaces to coordinate voter turnout for particular parties, hosting fund-raisers, or even publicly criticising opposition figures. The practice has drawn criticism from civil society groups, election observers, and even senior traditional title holders who argue that such conduct erodes the moral authority of the stool.

Officials familiar with the event say Makinde used the occasion to remind the royal fathers that, while their counsel is valued, taking sides in party contests risks turning their palaces into targets. He noted that monarchs who back a particular party during one cycle risk losing the trust of supporters of rival parties the next, ultimately weakening the institution they have spent lifetimes building.

The Legal and Constitutional Framework

Nigeria’s constitution does not explicitly strip traditional rulers of political rights. As citizens, they are free to vote and, in principle, to be voted for, subject to the same conditions as any other Nigerian. What the law frowns at is the use of state-funded palace structures or the moral weight of the stool to advance the interests of a specific political actor or platform. The 1999 Constitution, as amended, recognises the roles of traditional institutions under customary law while leaving their precise functions and limitations largely to state-level legislation.

In Oyo State, the relevant laws include provisions that restrict obas and baales from engaging in partisan activities while wearing the insignia of their offices. Several states in the south-west have similar statutes, though enforcement has been patchy. Analysts note that without clear sanctions, the rules often amount to voluntary codes that pressure, rather than punish, royal fathers who cross the line.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which oversees federal and state elections, has repeatedly urged traditional rulers to remain neutral during polls. INEC officials have argued that monarchs, given their visibility and the respect they command in rural communities, can either reinforce public confidence in the process or, if perceived to be partisan, undermine it entirely. Makinde’s Saturday comments are therefore consistent with a broader institutional consensus.

Reactions from Across the South-West

Reactions to the governor’s advice have been mixed. Some senior traditional rulers welcomed the call, describing it as long overdue. One oba in the Oke-Ogun area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters that the politicisation of royal stools has done more harm than good to the institution. According to him, communities that used to gather at the palace to settle disputes now view the same palace with suspicion because of its perceived loyalty to a particular governor or senator.

Others, however, argue that traditional rulers have a right, like every other Nigerian, to support candidates of their choice, particularly those whose policies align with community welfare. They contend that keeping monarchs out of politics altogether risks turning their offices into ceremonial relics with no influence on matters that affect the lives of their subjects. In their view, neutrality can sometimes be read as indifference to the suffering of ordinary people.

Civil society organisations have largely backed Makinde’s position. Pro-democracy groups insist that the strength of Nigerian democracy depends on the credibility of its institutions, including royal councils. They argue that once a monarch is openly partisan, the palace loses its ability to mediate fairly between feuding parties, a function that remains vital in many rural communities where formal courts are still distant or unaffordable.

The 2027 Election Cycle and the Stakes

Makinde’s intervention comes at a politically sensitive moment. With preparations for the 2027 general elections gathering pace, political parties across the spectrum are already identifying influencers in every ward and local government area. In Oyo and the wider south-west, traditional rulers remain among the most influential figures in rural communities, capable of swinging opinion in close contests.

The APM, Makinde’s platform, has signalled that the governor intends to play prominently in the presidential race. His public posture on traditional rulers is therefore being read by political analysts as both a moral stance and a strategic message. By urging neutrality, the governor positions himself as a defender of institutional integrity, while also signalling that he expects the palace network to be available to whichever candidate earns the trust of the people.

Allied political actors have welcomed the message. Several chieftains in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State echoed Makinde’s call, urging royal fathers to focus on community development. They noted that the credibility of the palace directly affects the credibility of grassroots mobilisation, which both parties rely on heavily in the run-up to elections.

What Neutrality Looks Like in Practice

For traditional rulers, neutrality is easier to declare than to practise. In many Nigerian communities, monarchs interact daily with politicians who fund community projects, sponsor palace events, and occasionally demand loyalty in return. Avoiding partisan politics in such an environment requires deliberate restraint and clear personal boundaries.

Practical steps that have been proposed include refusing to host fund-raisers for individual candidates, avoiding public endorsements during election seasons, and ensuring that palace facilities are not used as campaign offices. Some royal councils have gone further, publishing public neutrality pledges during election periods, and rotating their presence at events across parties to demonstrate even-handedness.

There is also a question of what neutrality means when the state itself is partisan. Critics note that monarchs who receive government funding for their palaces, vehicles, or stipends may struggle to criticise the government in power, even when that criticism is warranted. They argue that genuine neutrality requires financial independence and a clear separation of palace budgets from political office holders.

Lessons from Other African Democracies

Across Africa, the question of traditional authority and partisan politics has produced mixed outcomes. In Ghana, where a long line of paramountcies and queenmothers still operates, the National House of Chiefs has long discouraged open partisan activity by its members, while allowing them to vote as individuals. The approach has not eliminated political activity among chiefs, but it has kept most royal fathers from using their stools as overt campaign platforms.

In Kenya, the 2010 Constitution explicitly limits the role of traditional authorities in politics, while still recognising their cultural and dispute-resolution functions. South Africa’s post-apartheid framework similarly draws a line between cultural leadership and party activity, with traditional councils playing advisory roles in local governance without endorsing candidates. Botswana and Namibia, both with strong chieftaincy traditions, have likewise sought to keep royal institutions out of party contests.

These examples suggest that Nigeria is not alone in wrestling with the question. They also suggest that the most successful models combine constitutional clarity, consistent enforcement, and sustained public messaging from leaders like Makinde, who emphasise that traditional authority is strongest when it is seen as belonging to all the people rather than to any party.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Governor Makinde say to traditional rulers in Oyo State?

He urged them to stay clear of partisan politics, remain politically neutral, and use their influence for community development rather than campaign mobilisation. He made the remarks at a ceremony that included the conferment of an honorary traditional title.

Are traditional rulers in Nigeria legally barred from partisan politics?

The constitution does not forbid them from voting or being voted for as citizens. However, state-level laws and customary codes restrict the use of palace offices, insignia, and resources for partisan purposes, especially during election cycles.

Why is the issue important ahead of the 2027 elections?

Traditional rulers command significant influence in rural communities. If they are perceived to be partisan, it can undermine public confidence in elections and weaken the moral authority of royal offices. Neutrality is therefore seen as critical to credible polls in 2027.

How does Nigeria compare with other African countries on this issue?

Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia all have frameworks that encourage or require traditional leaders to stay out of partisan politics. Nigeria’s framework is similar in principle but enforcement has historically been inconsistent at the state level.

What can traditional rulers do to demonstrate neutrality?

They can refuse to host partisan events, avoid public endorsements, ensure that palace resources are not used for campaigns, and publish clear neutrality pledges during election seasons.

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