Group urges Kwara gov to address marginalisation of traditional rulers

The Moro Descendants Development Union has called on the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, to address what it described as the continued marginalisation of traditional rulers in the Moro Local Government Area of the state.

The group made the call on Wednesday during a press conference at the Shao axis, expressing concern over recent traditional ruler elevation exercises in the state, particularly the exclusion of Moro monarchs.

The Kwara State Government had earlier approved the elevation of over 50 traditional rulers across the state, including the upgrading of 10 monarchs to first-class status, largely drawn from the Kwara South Senatorial District.

The decision, according to the government, was aimed at strengthening grassroots security and recognising the contributions of traditional institutions to peace and stability in their domains.

Among the newly promoted First-Class monarchs were the Oloro of Oro, Onijagbo of Ijagbo, Onipe of Ipee, Oloota of Odo-Owa, Elekan of Ekan, Olojoku of Ojoku, Owalobo of Obbo-Aiyegunle, Olusin of Ijara-Isin, Elesie of Esie, and Oba Ademola Ajibola.

Addressing journalists at the briefing, MODDU President, Prof. Kehinde Akano, said while the union acknowledged and congratulated beneficiaries of the exercise, it was concerned about what it called the consistent exclusion of Moro traditional rulers.

“We do not in any way condemn the grading and upgrading of traditional rulers in Kwara South Senatorial District. We congratulate all beneficiaries of His Excellency’s gesture,” he said.

“However, we must draw attention to the persistent neglect and unfair treatment of the Moro Local Government Area in all recent traditional institution reforms.”

Akano said the exclusion of Moro from the latest grading exercise was particularly troubling given that other local government areas in Kwara North had benefited from similar recognitions in the past.

He noted that Baruten and Kiama LGAs have four First Class chiefs each, while Edu and Patigi also enjoy similar representation, leaving Moro as the only LGA in the senatorial district without a graded traditional ruler.

“It is disheartening that among the five local government areas in Kwara North Senatorial District (Baruten, Edu, Kiama, Moro, and Patigi), only Moro has no graded traditional ruler and no functional traditional council,” he said.

According to him, the situation reflects a long-standing pattern of neglect and systemic exclusion of Moro traditional institutions from state recognition.

Akano traced the development to historical arrangements, saying Moro communities had existed with distinct traditional structures before colonial and post-colonial administrative reforms.

He said that despite the creation of the Moro Local Government Area in 1976, the area had continued to face what he described as a structural disadvantage in the recognition of its traditional rulers.

“For decades, we have been subjected to a system that does not reflect our indigenous identity and traditional structure. The imposition of district heads from outside our communities continues to undermine our traditional institutions.”

He also faulted the continued subordination of Moro communities under the Ilorin Emirate structure, describing it as inconsistent with their cultural and historical realities.

“There is no justification for continuing to subject Moro to an arrangement that is alien to our tradition and heritage.”

“We are not legally bound to be part of this arrangement, as confirmed by the judgment of a competent court in suit No. KWS/231/89 delivered on 22/10/1997 in the case of Alhaji Saka Adeyemi, Bayo Akande, Jimoh Adio vs Alhaji Laaro Isale Oja, Moro Local Government Area, and the Attorney-General of Kwara State.”

Akano, however, lamented that the said judgment had not been implemented to date.

Akano also referenced past grading exercises across the state, alleging that Moro traditional rulers were repeatedly excluded while others benefited.

“In 2002/2003 and subsequent exercises in 2010 and 2015, Moro traditional rulers were left out despite similar recognition given to their counterparts in other local government areas,” he said.

The president recalled that traditional rulers in some Moro communities, including the Ohoro of Shao and Oba of Jebba, had at different times received recognition and grading, only for such status to be withdrawn in subsequent years.

He further cited previous grading exercises across successive administrations, alleging that Moro traditional rulers were repeatedly excluded while other communities benefited.

Akano called on Governor AbdulRazaq to intervene and correct what he described as a historical injustice against the people of Moro.

“We are appealing to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to correct this historical injustice and ensure that Moro traditional rulers are accorded the same recognition as others in the state,” he said.

He urged the state government to implement earlier policy directives, including a 1987 White Paper that recommended that district heads in Moro be appointed from among the area’s indigenes.

The group also demanded the restoration and elevation of key traditional stools in Moro, including the Ohoro of Shao and Oba of Jebba, to First Class status, alongside the recognition of other community rulers across the LGA.

“We are also calling for the recognition and grading of traditional rulers in communities such as Okutala, Lanwa, Malete, Bode Saadu, and others, as well as hundreds of Baales and Mogajis across Moro,” Akano said.

He stressed that equitable treatment of all local government areas remained essential for unity and peace in Kwara State, warning that continued exclusion could deepen dissatisfaction.

The union expressed hope that the present administration would address the concerns, urging the governor to uphold fairness and justice in the management of traditional institutions across the state.