Prominent traditional rulers across Nigeria’s South-West geopolitical zone have thrown their weight behind the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the presidency must remain in Southern Nigeria to foster national equity and political stability.
​The endorsement was announced at the conclusion of a high-level summit of the South-West Council of Obas and Traditional Rulers held on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the Palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland (Aafin Olubadan), located in Oke Aremo, Ibadan, Oyo State.
While specific timestamps for the start and end of the closed-door deliberations were not disclosed in the official briefing, the royal fathers emerged from the session with a unified stance on the nation’s political trajectory.
​Addressing journalists at the close of the meeting, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, who served as the council’s spokesperson and read the official communiqué, stated that the monarchs’ decision was driven by the need to sustain structured power rotation, promote fairness, and strengthen national cohesion.
According to Oba Gbadebo, the council urged royal fathers across all six South-West states, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo, to actively mobilise their subjects in support of President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
​Beyond the 2027 presidential endorsement, the South-West monarchs used the communiqué to address pressing economic and security issues facing the federation.
On the economy, the traditional rulers threw their full support behind the Federal Government’s decision to abolish the petrol subsidy regime, warning that any attempt to restore the subsidy would severely undermine Nigeria’s long-term economic development and fiscal sustainability.
​Turning to national security, the council endorsed the proposed creation of state police as a strategic and necessary measure to curb worsening insecurity and protect lives and property across the grassroots.
In anticipation of this reform, the monarchs advised royal fathers to begin sensitising youths within their respective domains to prepare for potential employment and service opportunities under a decentralised policing framework.
In the same vein, the council expressed deep appreciation to the Tinubu administration for establishing new military formations and brigades in Oyo State to bolster regional security, while also commending ongoing federal infrastructure projects across the South-West.
​As the country gears up for the next electoral cycle, the royal fathers strongly condemned electoral violence, voter intimidation, and vote-buying, calling on all political actors to ensure peaceful and credible polls in 2027.
To safeguard national unity during the political season, the monarchs pledged to strengthen engagement and dialogue with traditional rulers in Northern Nigeria and other geopolitical zones to promote mutual understanding and national integration.
​The landmark summit was hosted by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and drew an influential gathering of first-class monarchs from across Yorubaland.
Among the prominent rulers in attendance were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II); the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi; the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi; the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup; the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu-Alagbado; and the Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi.
​The council concluded its meeting by resolving to maintain regular consultations on matters affecting the security, welfare, and socio-economic development of the South-West and Nigeria as a whole.
