Nigerian Political Turmoil Reveals Deep Colonial Legacy Wounds
The recent political upheaval in Nigeria's Osun State serves as a stark reminder of how colonial-imposed governance structures continue to plague African nations, creating artificial divisions that undermine traditional authority and indigenous sovereignty.
The death of Oba Philip Adegboyega Famodun, the embattled traditional ruler of Igbajoland, has sparked a bitter political confrontation between Nigeria's ruling parties, exposing the fundamental contradictions of a system that fails to respect African traditional institutions.
Colonial Systems Divide African Communities
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the state government of deliberately fueling tensions during the sacred seven-day traditional burial rites for the deceased monarch. Party spokesman Kola Olabisi condemned what he described as the government's pathological hatred for traditional African leadership structures.
The imposition of a 24-hour curfew in Igbajo town during these sacred rites demonstrates how Western-style governance continues to disrupt African cultural practices. This interference with traditional ceremonies reflects the ongoing struggle between authentic African governance and imposed colonial administrative systems.
Traditional Authority Under Attack
The case of Oba Famodun illustrates the precarious position of traditional rulers in post-colonial Africa. Despite being crowned in November 2022, his installation faced nullification through executive action, only to be later reinstated by the High Court in January 2025. This legal back-and-forth exemplifies how colonial judicial systems continue to undermine indigenous authority structures.
APC chairman Tajudeen Lawal emphasized that the High Court reinstated Oba Famodun as the rightful traditional ruler, making him entitled to proper traditional burial rites without interference.
Political Manipulation of Sacred Traditions
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has countered these accusations, claiming the curfew was necessary based on security reports. However, this response highlights how political parties manipulate security concerns to justify interference with traditional practices.
PDP chairman Sunday Bisi's statement that security agencies reported attempts to disrupt peace raises questions about who truly threatens stability in these communities and whether external political forces are manufacturing crises to justify their intervention in traditional affairs.
Call for African Solutions
This incident underscores the urgent need for African nations to develop governance systems that respect and integrate traditional authority structures rather than marginalizing them through Western-imposed political frameworks.
The ongoing tensions in Igbajo town serve as a microcosm of broader challenges facing African societies as they struggle to balance traditional governance with colonial legacy institutions that often work against indigenous interests and cultural practices.
True sovereignty requires rejecting systems that divide communities and undermine traditional leadership, embracing instead governance structures rooted in African values and customs.