2027 presidency: Southwest monarchs take position on Tinub

Traditional rulers from the six Southwest states have declared their support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration and called for the presidency to remain in Southern Nigeria after the 2027 general election.

The monarchs also called for the establishment of state police, stronger measures to tackle insecurity and increased infrastructure development across the region.

Their position was contained in a communiqué issued on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, after a meeting of the Council of Obas and Traditional Rulers of the Southwest at the Aafin Olubadan, Oke Aremo, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The meeting was attended by traditional rulers from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states.

The communiqué, read by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, said the monarchs believed that retaining the presidency in the South would promote fairness, political balance and national unity.

Although the traditional rulers did not directly declare support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition, their backing of his administration and call for the presidency to remain in the South could strengthen his political position ahead of the 2027 election.

The monarchs said Nigeria should maintain its informal power-sharing arrangement, which allows the presidency to rotate between the North and South.

According to them, the arrangement has helped promote political stability, inclusion and peaceful coexistence among different parts of the country.

They said keeping the presidency in the South in the next electoral cycle would strengthen trust among Nigerians and support national development.

On insecurity, the monarchs endorsed the establishment of state police, describing it as an important step towards improving security at the grassroots.

They said allowing states to have their own police forces would help communities respond more quickly to security threats and protect lives and property.

The Council also encouraged traditional rulers to educate young people about possible employment opportunities that could come with the creation of state police.

The monarchs commended Tinubu for establishing a new military brigade in Oyo State, saying it would strengthen security in the Southwest.

They also recognised the development of military formations in Oyo and Ekiti states.

The traditional rulers praised the Tinubu administration for ongoing infrastructure projects and other development programmes across the Southwest and the country.

They said improved roads and other infrastructure would encourage business activities, improve transportation and create more economic opportunities for residents.

The monarchs also promised to continue engaging the Federal Government and other stakeholders to ensure that the interests of the Southwest receive proper attention.

The traditional rulers also supported the Federal Government’s decision not to restore fuel subsidy.

They acknowledged that Nigerians were facing economic difficulties but argued that bringing back the subsidy would not be in the country’s long-term economic interest.

They urged traditional rulers to continue educating residents about government policies and programmes aimed at improving the economy.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the monarchs urged politicians and their supporters to avoid violence and other actions that could threaten the democratic process.

They condemned vote-buying, intimidation and electoral violence, calling on Nigerians to support peaceful, free and credible elections.

The Council also promised to strengthen its relationship with traditional rulers in Northern Nigeria and other parts of the country to promote national unity.

Among the traditional rulers listed as participants were the Ooni of Ife, Alake of Egbaland, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Akarigbo of Remoland, Olu of Ilaro, Soun of Ogbomoso, Aseyin of Iseyin and Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.

Others included the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oniru of Iruland, Elegushi of Ikateland, Olowo of Owo, Deji of Akure, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti and Ajero of Ijero.

The Ooni of Ife was named as the signatory to the communiqué.

At the end of the meeting, the monarchs promised to continue holding consultations on issues affecting security, welfare and development in the Southwest and Nigeria as a whole.

They also urged Nigerians to remain peaceful, obey the law and work together towards building a more secure and prosperous country.