Governor of Ogun state, Southwest Nigeria, Dapo Abiodun, has assented to a bill which makes provisions for family members of traditional rulers to “have a say” during the burial rites of monarchs.
The ‘Obas, Chiefs, Council of Obas and Traditional Council Law of Ogun State, Bill 2021’ also makes provisions for the selection and appointment of traditional rulers.
The bill, which was presented for public hearing in July 2021, had generated some controversy, with some traditionalists insisting that the state was trying to interfere in cultural practices.
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The bill will allow traditional rulers to be buried according to the faith they profess. Platforms Africa reports that most of the monarchs have publicly acknowledged to be adherents of Christianity or Islam.
In his remarks after signing the bill on Monday, Abiodun said the law addresses areas of ambiguity as it relates to the role of family members during the burial rites of traditional rulers.
“I believe that one of the unique things about this law, besides the fact that it sets out a method for the selection of obas and chiefs, is the clarity that this law now provides as it relates to the passage rites of our kabiyesis,” the governor said.
“This law seeks to improve on previously existing western region laws, or where there had been ambiguity as it relates to how our kabiyesis will be buried. This law now empowers the families to determine how our kabiyesis will be buried, of course without prejudice to traditional rites that are meant to be performed by customary law.
“However, it now clarifies and removes any ambiguity about the fact that the families of our kabiyesis now have a say in how they want our royal fathers to be buried.”
Abiodun thanked the traditional rulers for their input, as well as other stakeholders such as the attorney-general of the state, and the house of assembly.
