Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president, has expressed the need for traditional institutions to be protected from the undue influence of powerful state governors.
Gatekeepers News reports that this statement follows ongoing efforts by some state governments to restructure traditional institutions within their jurisdictions. Notably, in Kano, a dispute over the emirship has led to Aminu Bayero’s refusal to step down as monarch after the state government revoked a 2019 law and removed him from his position.
The government subsequently reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi, who was dethroned in 2020, as the emir.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has alleged that the Sokoto state government is planning to depose Muhammad Abubakar as the Sultan of Sokoto.
Also, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo is reportedly experiencing strained relations with Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin. Abubakar emphasized in a statement issued on Tuesday that traditional institutions should be protected from undue interference by the state.
“Recent developments in the country have seen a growing tendency of state governments exerting influence in distorting the modalities of enthroning traditional stools,” the statement reads.
“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 is in the exclusive purview of the state government, although 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 ascension of traditional rulers is unstable, it will become equally difficult to maintain peace and orderliness in communities.”
Abubakar said although the constitution does not recognise traditional institutions, history has proven that “they perform enormous roles in the economic life of their domains, as well as 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,” Abubakar added.
“And they governed well. Consequently, they are institutions we must protect and preserve and not destroy.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard-bearer in the 2023 polls called for the review of the constitution to recognise traditional institutions and define the responsibilities of their offices.
He said the reform is important as the country grapples with terrorism and other security challenges.
Abubakar appealed to governors to “accord the necessary respect to the offices of traditional institutions”, adding that the customs traditional rulers espouse are the “totality of our heritage as a people”.
