The recent upgrading of the Loma of Babanloma, Oba Muhammed Jimoh Usman Ailra, Loma of Babanloma from a Third Class to a Second Class traditional ruler is a notable governance milestone in Kwara State. Approved by the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the decision transcends ceremonial symbolism and speaks directly to the role of political will in restoring public confidence, historical justice, and institutional balance.
Babanloma, situated in Ifelodun Local Government Area, has long been acknowledged through oral history, settlement patterns, and administrative relevance as a traditional and cultural hub.
For decades, many stakeholders argued that the classification of the Loma stool did not reflect the community’s demographic strength, historical relevance, or cultural influence.
The recent upgrade therefore answers a question that lingered unresolved across multiple administrations.
A Record of Deferred Commitments
The matter of upgrading traditional stools in Kwara State has been recurrent in public discourse. Past administrations acknowledged the need to strengthen and appropriately recognize traditional institutions. Committees were reportedly set up, consultations conducted, and assurances given. Yet, implementation consistently stalled largely due to administrative inertia, political calculations, and the absence of decisive political will.
While it would be inaccurate to ascribe failure exclusively to any single administration, it is beyond dispute that successive governments stopped short of translating intention into action. The result was a pattern of deferred justice and growing public skepticism.
Political Will as the Catalyst for Reform
Against this backdrop, the present administration’s approval of the Loma’s upgrade marks a clear departure from hesitation to action. It demonstrates that governance, when driven by courage and fairness, can address long-standing grievances without destabilizing the system.
This decision affirms the administration’s commitment to traditional institutions as stabilizing forces in local governance, custodians of culture, mediators in communal disputes, and credible links between government and the grassroots. In effect, the government has succeeded where its predecessors faltered: moving from acknowledgment to execution.
The Constitutional Context of Traditional Institutions
From a legal standpoint, it is important to clarify the place of traditional institutions within Nigeria’s constitutional framework. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) does not establish traditional rulers as a tier of government. However, it deliberately preserves their existence and regulation within the authority of state governments.
Section 7(1) of the Constitution guarantees a system of local government by democratically elected councils but leaves room for states to structure their traditional institutions under state laws.
Accordingly, matters relating to the grading, upgrading, and administration of traditional stools constitutionally fall within the residual powers of states.
The Kwara State Government’s action is therefore not only politically sound but constitutionally proper.
Commendation with Constructive Engagement
The upgrading of the Loma of Babanloma deserves commendation as an act of responsive governance rooted in history and legality. It sends a reassuring signal that legitimate communal aspirations can still find redress within democratic governance.
That said, public trust is sustained not by isolated achievements but by consistency. Citizens continue to raise concerns about perceived imbalances in infrastructural development and public investment across senatorial districts.
Where development appears concentrated in specific regions, feelings of exclusion can arise, regardless of governmental intent.
Equity as the Enduring Measure of Leadership
For governance to be truly transformative, democratic dividends must be equitably distributed. Fairness in infrastructure allocation, inclusiveness in policy implementation, and transparency in decision-making remain essential. Balanced development not only strengthens unity but reinforces the legitimacy of government actions, including commendable ones such as this upgrade.
Conclusion
The upgrading of the Loma of Babanloma stands as a powerful example of what governance can achieve when political will aligns with constitutional order and historical truth. It rekindles public hope and reaffirms the relevance of traditional institutions within Nigeria’s modern democratic framework.
Sustaining this momentum through equitable development and inclusive governance will ensure that this decision is remembered not as an exception, but as part of a broader legacy of principled leadership in Kwara State.
*Otunba Tunde Falola Esq. writes from Abuja
