The Oba Ìsèse Of Ogun State and Chairman, "Ìsèse Kingdom Of Truth Association Of Nigeria," Oba (Dr.) Ifarotimi Adifagbola Balogun has called on the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to consider member of traditionalists in the forthcoming local government election in the state.

The call was as a follow-up of allegation made by The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) President,  Prof. Ishaq Akintola, challenging the state government for allegedly favoured Christians in the Chairmanship and Councilorship positions in the forthcoming local government election in the state.

Oba Ìsèse of Ogun state, Dr. Adifagbola Balogun said traditionalists remains the fundamental foundation of every government, especially in the South-West Nigeria, but it is on the brink of destruction by politicians, noting that the government should always put them in consideration, especially for political reasons.

"If you think traditionalists are merely ceremonial figures, think again, despite having no constitutional powers, traditionalists are important political leaders at ethnic and sub-ethnic levels. More importantly, they are also merit all political position within their domains,  we don’t need to be ostracised in the society." Adifagbola Balogun said. 

He said; "Most people think of ttraditionalists as isolated figures. In reality, the traditionalists sits atop a network of indigenous governing systems which include politicians, they always come to us when they were in distress and seeking for political offices, now, why not consider us for political positions, it is time to create a space for traditionalists to be part of political office holders."

Adifagbola Balogun said that it is not too late for the Governor, Dapo Abiodun to substitute his candidate as the OGSIEC still create room for that, so as to fill in its members to the position of authority, especially Chairmanship and Councilorship position in the forthcoming local government polls.

He said, “It is the way our people have been taking it that made the traditionalists not to be effective in the South-West politics in particular, and Nigeria in general, noting that because we don’t have a constitutional role as trtraditional worshippers, the politicians tend to do things in whatever way they like and undermine the customs and traditions.

“And you know, every politician and every personality must have come from a traditional enclave or community. South-West traditions, more so, are also suffering religious problems because, Christianity is an imported religion, an imported sect. Before the religion, there was also a traditional institution. And even if we want to talk about religion, go to the Bible, we have the Book of Kings, the Book of Wisdom and thereabouts. They are all about the traditions, the people don’t seem to understand the importance of customs traditional stature.”

He noted that the proliferation of traditions in the region was orchestrated by the politicians to ruin the institution, stating, “It is a creation of the politicians. Political interference has made it so that there are so many traditionalists everywhere.