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By Myke Agunwa, Abuja
As the exit of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar continues to generate public debate, Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has called on all politicians holding down the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to move from the party.
Makinde who claimed that the exit of Atiku will not affect the fortune of the party added that political realignment is a constant factor in politics.
Makinde made the statement on Wednesday in Akure, the Ondo state capital during on the side line of the 10th anniversary of a traditional ruler, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi.
Reacting to the defection of the former Vice President and its impact on the party, Makinde said, “Politics is a game of interest. I don’t think that will make any dent on PDP as a party.
“The Peoples Democratic Party is an institution. We have freedom of entrance and exit. Anyone that will hold PDP down, it is better for such a individual to quit”.
When reminded that the coalition anchored by the former Vice President via the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) may soon become a threat to the main opposition party he responded,
“I don’t see ADC as a threat to PDP. The goal is about the same. If you are not happy about the tempo and pace of governance, you are free to associate and see what can be done.
“But one thing we must all realize is that players will come and go, governors will come and go, president will come and go but our state and country will remain”.
In the lecture entitled “The Role of Nigeria’s Traditional Institutions in Nation Building: Impediments, Impacts, and Prospects”, the governor advocated a constitutional role for traditional rulers.
Makinde said that his administration in Oyo state has taken deliberate steps to integrate traditional institutions into the governance architecture.
According to him “In Oyo State, we have been having good collaboration with traditional institutions, and we have had great results from such collaborations.
“That is why we are pushing for a constitutional role for them so that they don’t keep floating. They can participate and contribute, and also we can hold them accountable.
“We institutionalised their role in the State Security Council. Our royal fathers are not bystanders. They serve as first responders, sources of local intelligence, and advocates for peace.
The governor added, “We passed laws to remove ambiguity around succession and throne ascension. The outcome? Fewer legal battles, reduced communal tension, and enhanced legitimacy for our royal fathers.
“We need stronger, smarter partnerships—between the old and the new, between the traditional throne and the modern office, and between the oba’s palace and the policies of government”.
While appreciating the governor, Oba Aladelusi said that the traditional institution had a pivotal role to play in nation-building, hence the need for the country’s constitution to strengthen it.
Oba Aladelusi said that Akure is without division and commended the state government, as well as the sons and daughters of the town, for their support to the Deji’s palace.
Meanwhile, one of the discussants at the colloquium, a professor of History in Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Adedayo Afe, said that” law of succession should be entrenched in the nation’s constitution, not just in the state law, to check overbearing tendencies of governors over traditional institutions.
Afe called for promulgation of law establishing Paramountcy in Ondo State.
Also, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo, SAN, advocated that the constitution should accommodate and recognize culture and traditions.
Ajulo said that the traditional rulers should the funded and trained in conflict resolution.