Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has voiced his concern regarding the increasing influence of state governments in the process of enthroning traditional rulers.
In a statement released on Tuesday via his X handle, Abubakar, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the recent general election, emphasised the need to protect traditional institutions from state government interference to maintain peace and order in communities.
Abubakar highlighted the vital role traditional institutions play in governance, even though the current constitution does not formally recognise them.
He stressed that the stability of these institutions is crucial for the economic well-being and security of their domains. “Recent developments in the country have shown a growing tendency for state governments to exert influence by distorting the modalities of enthroning traditional stools,” he noted.
He acknowledged that traditional rulership falls under the exclusive purview of state governments, managed through local authorities. However, he argued that traditional institutions are integral to the governance structure and should be shielded from state government arbitrariness.
“When the structure of the ascension of traditional rulers is unstable, it becomes difficult to maintain peace and orderliness in communities,” Abubakar warned. He called for constitutional reforms to recognise and define the roles and responsibilities of traditional institutions in the nation’s laws.
Reflecting on the historical significance of traditional institutions, Abubakar stated, “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.”
He urged state governors to respect traditional offices, emphasising that the customs represented by traditional rulers embody the heritage of the people.
“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,” Abubakar concluded.
