Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed worry over what he described as a growing tendency of state governments to exert influence by distorting the modalities of enthroning traditional stools.
Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, in the last general election, stressed that traditional
institutions must be protected from the arbitrariness of state governments.
In a statement issued on Tuesday via his X handle, the
former Vice President said it will become difficult to maintain peace and
orderliness in communities if the structure of ascension of traditional rulers
was unstable.
He, therefore, called for constitutional reform that will
not only recognize traditional institutions in the nation’s laws but also
define the responsibilities of their offices.
Atiku’s read: “Recent developments in the country has 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 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.
“Although our constitution, in its current format, does not
ascribe any recognition to traditional institutions, yet our experiences show
clearly 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 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
and 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 levels.
“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 is the totality of our heritage
as a people.”
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