Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concerns about the increasing trend of state governments’ attempts to exert control by manipulating the processes and traditions of the installation of traditional rulers, potentially undermining the autonomy and cultural significance of the institutions.
Atiku stressed the need to safeguard traditional institutions from the whims and capricious actions of state governments, which could potentially erode their authority and cultural significance.
He made the comments in response to concerns raised by Prof. Isiaq Akintola, Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Council (MURIC), who alerted the public to an alleged plan by the Sokoto state government to depose the Sultan of Sokoto, a prominent traditional ruler in the state.
Atiku said in a statement on Tuesday via his X handle that if the structure of the ascension of traditional rulers was unstable, it would be difficult to maintain peace and order in communities.
He advocated a constitutional overhaul that would not only formally acknowledge traditional institutions within the country’s legal framework but also clearly delineate their roles and responsibilities, thereby establishing a clearer understanding of their position and authority within the nation’s governance structure.
He said: “Recent developments in the country have seen a growing tendency of state governments exerting influence in distorting the modalities of enthroning traditional stools.
“It is a reality that stares us in the face from every corner of the country.
“While it is understandable that the institutions of traditional rulership are in the exclusive purview of the state government, through the local government authorities, it must be established that traditional institutions constitute a component of our governance structure.
“And thus, traditional institutions must be protected from the arbitrariness of state governments that threaten their stability.
“When the structure of the ascension of traditional rulers is unstable, it will become equally difficult to maintain peace and orderliness in communities.
“Although our constitution, in its current format, does not ascribe any recognition to traditional institutions, our experiences show clearly that they perform enormous roles in the economic life of their domains, as well as the maintenance of peace and security in communities.
“I wish to remind you that the traditional institutions formed the governance structures before the advent of the colonialists. And they governed well. Consequently, they are institutions we must protect and preserve, not destroy.
“It is, therefore, on this basis that I lean towards the advocacy that calls for constitutional reform that will not just recognize traditional institutions in our body of laws but also define the responsibilities of their offices.
“This reform is even more important in view of the collective drive to stem the ugly tide of terrorism and sundry security challenges at the local level.
“In conclusion, I must also appeal to state governors to accord the necessary respect to the offices of traditional institutions. The customs that our traditional rulers represent are the totality of our heritage as a people.”
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