Traditional rulers in the South-West have called for strong support from the Yoruba race for the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

This was stated in a communique issued and signed by Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and eight traditional rulers at a one-day Yoruba security summit held at Ife Grand Resort, Ile-Ife, on Thursday.

The summit convened by the Ooni of Ife, was attended by Governor Ademola Adeleke and traditional rulers across Yoruba land.

Those in attendance included the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III; Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo; the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade; Owa-Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Adewole; and Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi. Others were Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola; Olojudo of Ido-Faboro, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; Alayemore of Ido-Osun, Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Akure of Ikire-Ile and among others.

The summit noted such support for the president would benefit the Yoruba race and Nigeria at large and ensure development.

The summit condemned what it called the organised, systematic attacks on traditional rulers and eminent sons and daughters of Yoruba land by suspected herdsmen.

It resolved that the Yoruba race should take full control of their forests, homelands and farmlands, observing that the herdsmen attacks have been largely responsible for food scarcity in the South-West.

“That the Yoruba, especially the traditional rulers, should make recourse to their natural resources, including natural powers, to combat banditry and kidnapping; that Yoruba obas should not jettison traditional values.

“That government at all levels should recognise the roles of traditional rulers and factor them into the national security architecture; that the entire obas in Yorubaland should work in unison to ward off the evils of banditry and kidnappings as each of the states could only succeed in chasing the marauders to another state.

“That any oba who is disinterested in Yoruba culture and customs should abdicate his throne for anyone who is deeply versed and interested in Yoruba tradition,” the communique said.

It called for strengthening the Amotekun Corps in terms of motivation, finances, training and retraining of personnel and equipment.

The summit charged local, state, and federal governments to employ drones and other appropriate technology for effectively surveilling forests and roads.

(NAN)