The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has urged Nigerians—particularly those in the South-West—to close ranks and rally behind President Bola Tinubu as the country grapples with worsening security challenges.
The monarch made the appeal during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.
Oba Ogunwusi warned that politics must not be allowed to overshadow national survival.
He also stressed that security concerns should be treated as collective responsibilities rather than opportunities for political point-scoring.
He further explained that the region’s traditional rulers had unanimously resolved to support the President’s efforts in restoring peace.
According to the Ooni, the traditional institution has chosen to prioritise national stability over partisanship.
“God has given us a leader at this time,” he said, emphasising that the South-West had already passed a symbolic vote of confidence in President Tinubu.
“Our duty now is to work with him, because saving Nigeria is far more important than political divisions, ” he said.
The monarch criticised persistent public attacks on political leaders, describing them as unproductive.
He argued that those who continually condemn successive administrations have not presented viable alternatives.
Nigeria’s governance, he said, does not belong to politicians alone but to the millions of citizens whose lives are affected by national decisions.
He insisted that serious matters, especially those concerning safety, must be insulated from political rivalries.
“Politics is partly why Nigeria has found itself in this situation.
“There was a time when people could travel freely across the country without fear. Banditry was not part of our reality then, ” he said.
Speaking on reports of bandits attempting to infiltrate the South-West, Oba Ogunwusi confirmed that traditional rulers in the region were aware of the movements and had already activated community-based defensive structures.
He said local intelligence networks were being strengthened in partnership with the Federal Government.
He commended the renewed collaboration between security agencies and local hunters, forest guards and traditional vigilante groups, noting that these grassroots defenders often provide early warnings that conventional institutions may overlook.
“We are taking action. They are approaching our territory, and we will ensure they are repelled.
“This region has a history of resilience spanning centuries. We were never conquered in the past, and that will not change,” he said.
The monarch added that the South-West’s openness and hospitality should not be mistaken for weakness.
He maintained that unity between traditional and political leaders would be crucial in confronting emerging threats.
