Oba Semiudeen Kasali urges legal backing for traditional rulers as palace authority wanes since 1979 Constitution

Traditional rulers in Nigeria now hold mainly ceremonial roles without real governing authority, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom in Lagos State, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, has said. Speaking from his palace to mark his tenth year on the throne, Oba Kasali explained that constitutional changes over the decades have stripped monarchs of formal power at both state and local levels.

The monarch, a lawyer and former Lagos State Ministry of Justice counsel, traced the decline to Nigeria’s 1979 and 1999 constitutions which removed traditional rulers from legislative councils and governance structures. He noted that, unlike in the past when kings participated directly in government, local government chairmen are now the chief executives at grassroots level. “The power resides…in any local government; the chairman is the governor of that local government. There’s no power in the palace anymore,” Kasali said.

Oba Kasali added that palace decisions are often ignored because citizens can challenge them in court based on constitutional rights. He argued that this has eroded respect for traditional institutions and led to delays in resolving disputes—especially those involving land or communal matters. “Some people are not bound to obey what we say in the palace because they want to exercise their constitutional right to approach court; you cannot stop them,” he stated.

This situation has sparked nationwide agitation among monarchs for constitutional reforms. Oba Kasali supported these calls but warned that any new role assigned to traditional rulers must be meaningful and enforceable. He cited examples from Ghana, South Africa and Namibia, where chieftaincy is recognised in their constitutions. Oyo’s Oba Rashidi Ladoja and other traditional leaders have made similar appeals this year.

Kasali proposed making palace mediation a compulsory first step for certain community disputes before such cases reach the courts—restoring a practice where royal judgements stood unless they were contrary to justice or good conscience. He lamented that today even settled palace matters are re-litigated in court with some parties joining the king as a defendant.

The monarch also blamed declining values within communities, saying some kingmakers now install individuals based on wealth rather than character or heritage: “They don’t care about the implications of who occupies the seat.”

Despite reduced powers, Oba Kasali highlighted contributions by traditional rulers towards security and development—such as collaborating with police to curb crime along waterways around Igbogbo and supporting improvements in infrastructure, schools and healthcare. On recent cases of kidnappings targeting kings nationwide, he attributed this to wider insecurity rather than hostility towards monarchs specifically: “Monarchs are being kidnapped because they see us as a soft target,” he said.

As discussions on constitutional amendments continue across Nigeria, many traditional leaders insist their restoration is crucial not just for symbolism but for strengthening governance at community level.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/why-nigerian-kings-lost-power-oba-semiudeen-kasali-2026062212550873492