Ogun monarch says traditional rulers can't stay out of politics, admires Yayi ahead of 2027 polls

The Eselu of Eselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has publicly expressed his admiration for the senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.

According to the Yewa royal father, despite the tough economic situation, the Yayi has been very consistent with a series of intervention projects in the Senatorial district.

Oba Akinyemi disclosed this at an event organised to mark his birthday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital, described the senator as a true representative of the people.

“Yayi is doing extremely well. We’ve never had it this good in terms of giving the constituency this level of priority. Particularly, if you go anywhere in Ogun West now, you’ll see his work,” the royal father added.

He called for more responsive governance at the federal level to address the suffering of Nigerians, especially in border communities that are bearing the brunt of harsh economic policies.

When asked about the possibility of publicly involved in partisan politics ahead of the 2027 general polls, the monarch explained that it may be impossible for traditional rulers in Nigeria to completely stay out of politics.

He insisted that politics is interwoven with the traditional institution, especially in a democratic system where the delivery of development often relies on political office holders.

“The truth of it is that it’s like taking salt out of the soup if any Kabiyesi says he’s not engaging in politics, ask him who is his local government chairman, state governor—are they not politicians? Who are the ministers of the state, are they not politicians? If you get one or two things in the community, are they not through them? You cannot take salt from the soup.

“At times, you cannot be an Oba without playing politics. Even the issue of paramountcy—first class, second class and the rest—is it not politics? And some who are paramount rulers, who gave them the paramountcy? It’s politics,” he said.

Oba Akinyemi, however, said that while traditional rulers should not engage in dirty politics, their involvement in governance and the political process is sometimes unavoidable because the political system also dictates the influence of traditional rulers.