THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL RULERS IN PEACE AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN YORUBALAND: A CASE STUDY OF ALAAFIN LAMIDI OLAYIWOLA ADEYEMI III OF OYO, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The Alajin of Oyo occupies a significant position in the political and social history of paramount traditional rulers in Yorubaland, South-western, Nigeria. A major assignment of any traditional r;tler is to maintain law and order in his domain. Even though, the 1979 Constitution in Nigeria did not give much recognition to the activities of traditional rulers in Nigeria. The Government in each state and Local Government is always looking unto the traditional rulers to ensure peace and settle conflicts where it is observed in a community. Alaafin Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III became the Alaafin in 1971. Since then, he has succeeded in maintaining peace in his domain and many challenges have been fought. This paper; therefore, is to examine the period between 1971 to 2013 in the life of Alaafin Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III. He served under. the military and civilian governments in different capacities. Internal wrangling has been witnessed between him and some traditional rulers in Yorubaland with-in the period under study. It is observed that Oyo community which was a traditional Yoruba community has witnessed a tremendous transformation in the political, socio-economic and religious life. Some of these factors have contributed to crises and properly managed by Alafin Lamidi Adeyemi III.