Renowned culture enthusiast and Ifa priest, Ifayemi Elebuibon, has spoken out against the growing trend of political interference in traditional institutions, describing it as a threat to Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
In a recent interview, Elebuibon emphasized the importance of preserving diverse traditions and giving adequate recognition to traditional authority. He warned that allowing politicians to control traditional rulers would undermine the preservation of cultural heritage and erase the country’s rich history.
Elebuibon cited the example of Kano state, where politicians are tampering with an institution that predates them, and drew parallels with the British monarchy, which is highly esteemed and protected from political interference. He urged stakeholders to liberate traditional institutions from political interference, warning that if not checked, politicians would eventually destroy the remaining cultural heritage.
“The selection of traditional rulers should be left to kingmakers and traditionalists, free from political influence,” Elebuibon emphasized. “We must put an end to the practice of empowering state governors to depose traditional rulers, which is an affront to our culture and tradition.”
Elebuibon’s call to action aims to protect Nigeria’s cultural heritage from political manipulation and ensure the preservation of traditional institutions for future generations.
