Sanusi, Ladoja seek national healing, warn against politicisation of traditional institutions

By Adeola Badru The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, have called for national healing, peaceful co-existence and stronger bonds among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and religious groups, warning that the politicisation of traditional institutions poses a threat to their stability, historical relevance and role in fostering national unity.

The two prominent traditional rulers made the call on Sunday in Ibadan when Sanusi paid a courtesy visit to Oba Ladoja at his palace in Oke-Aremo, Ibadan, in an engagement that highlighted the need for traditional institutions to rise above partisan interests and serve as instruments of reconciliation, mutual understanding and national cohesion. Sanusi, who was in Ibadan to honour an invitation from the League of Imams and Alfas in South-West Nigeria, said his visit reflected his belief in a country where ethnic background, religious affiliation and political differences would not determine relationships among citizens.

He described the engagement as part of the positive developments needed to bridge Nigeria’s regional and cultural divides, stressing that the country could only achieve unity, progress and prosperity when people from different backgrounds deliberately reached out to one another. The Emir explained that although other engagements had emerged, he considered it important to honour his earlier commitment to attend the conference, even if his participation would be brief.

“We fixed this date a long time ago, and even though other events came, we considered it important to honour our promise to appear at the conference, even if it is for a brief period, because they have been expecting me to come.“ “This invitation is part of the positive developments we have been yearning for to build a bridge where Nigerians from different parts of the country reach out to each other and come together in the interest of the unity, the progress and the prosperity of our dear nation,” Sanusi said.

The Emir also apologised for the delay in visiting the Olubadan following his appointment and coronation, explaining that certain circumstances had prevented him from attending earlier. He congratulated Ladoja on his ascension to the revered throne of his forebears and prayed for divine protection, a long and peaceful reign, as well as prosperity for Ibadanland and Nigeria.

“It is only natural, coming to your kingdom, that I would pay this courtesy call. You do not come to a man’s house and just enter and leave without seeing him.“ “This visit is belated because I should have come after the appointment and the coronation, but as Your Majesty is aware, certain circumstances prevented me from attending.“ “But Alhamdulillah that we are here; I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your ascension to this revered throne of your forebears, to pray to Allah to guard and protect you, to make your reign long, and to give peace and prosperity to Ibadan and to Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

Reflecting on the historical relationship between Kano and Ibadan, Sanusi recalled his longstanding connections with the ancient city dating back to his days at First Bank, his association with the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao, and his subsequent tenure as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He said Ibadan had remained a familiar destination to him over the years, adding that he had maintained close relationships with several indigenes of the city.

Sanusi expressed his readiness to host the Olubadan in Kano, saying such reciprocal engagements would further strengthen the longstanding bonds between the two communities and promote greater understanding among Nigerians from different regions. “I’m sure the community will remember that I’m a regular visitor from my days as Governor of Central Bank and as Emir, and I have maintained close ties with many of the sons of Ibadan.“ “In fact, even before Central Bank, because of our relationship with First Bank and with Aare Arisekola, Ibadan was always a second town for us.“ “I look forward to receiving you in Kano very soon, and to continuing with the strong relations and bonds between the people of Kano and the people of Ibadan,” he added.

Responding, the Olubadan identified political interference in traditional institutions as a major concern, calling for deliberate measures to insulate traditional rulers from partisan politics and arbitrary political decisions capable of destabilising established traditional structures. Ladoja warned that political actors who interfere in traditional institutions often take decisions without fully appreciating their historical significance and the far-reaching consequences for the communities concerned.

He specifically expressed concern over developments surrounding the Kano Emirate, insisting that an institution with more than 1,000 years of history should not be subjected to arbitrary fragmentation. The Olubadan urged those involved in