BY RITA OYIBOKA
THE Omu of Ibusa, HRM Obi Josephine Nwannabuogwu has urged royal fathers and traditional stakeholders to adopt non-partisanship in their interactions with political leaders, cautioning against overt allegiance to any political party.
Speaking with The Pointer, she expressed concerns about the growing trend of partisanship among traditional rulers, which she described as detrimental to their sacred duties.
According to her, “In tradition, there is no party system. Many traditional leaders are keyed into particular political parties, and it is not supposed to be so. Our role is to guide, mediate, and protect the cultural heritage of our people, not to align with or endorse political factions. Such actions erode the trust and respect our people place in us.”
Her Majesty highlighted the importance of maintaining a non-partisan stance to foster unity across communities, especially in a diverse political climate. She stressed that traditional leaders must rise above political affiliations to effectively mediate and advocate for the collective interests of their people.
The Omu also called for increased collaboration between local government authorities and traditional institutions particularly, the Omu institution.
“Traditional rulers and local government officials are partners in progress. There should be no antagonism or power play. By working together, we can identify the challenges faced by our communities and implement solutions that truly benefit our people. This collaboration is crucial for peace, enhancing infrastructure, and promoting the welfare of our communities,” she said.
