Nigeria’s oldest monarch and Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom in Delta State, Ovie Richard Ogoni-Oghoro 1, has called on the Federal Government and the various state governments to consider giving constitutional roles to traditional rulers in the country.

He said this would go a long way in curbing insecurity in the country.

He made the call in an interview with The PUNCH in his palace on Wednesday.

The monarch, who is also the Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers in Urhobo nation, noted that traditional rulers are the chief security officers in their respective kingdoms.

He added that if they are constitutionally empowered to play their God-given role, most of the atrocities being perpetrated in communities would be nipped in the bud.

He said, “Right from time immemorial, that is, before the advent of the white man, we, Nigerians, have a way of ruling ourselves via traditional rulers. And these traditional rulers have a role they played. It is the unholy politics that eroded the powers of the traditional rulers.

“Traditional rulers are the chief security officers in their kingdoms. What is happening in every kingdom presently, if traditional rulers are given the latitude to play their role, most of these things will not be there.