Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised concerns over the selection process of traditional rulers in Nigeria, lamenting that individuals with criminal backgrounds, including drug addicts, bandits, and kidnappers, have infiltrated royal institutions.
In his recently published book, Nigeria: Past and Future, unveiled last week, Obasanjo criticized the unchecked proliferation of traditional rulers, many of whom, he claimed, lack the necessary training and moral compass to uphold the dignity of the institution.
He noted that the traditional training and mentorship system that once preserved the integrity of royal offices has been abandoned, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s political and social instability.
“Today, we see criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits, and kidnappers posing as traditional rulers,” he remarked, emphasizing that instead of safeguarding culture and justice, some monarchs now engage in acts that further erode the nation’s stability.
Citing an example, he condemned the involvement of a monarch in electoral malpractice, questioning how a traditional ruler could stoop to ballot box snatching during an election.
Reflecting on the past, Obasanjo recalled an era when traditional rulers commanded widespread respect and played a crucial role in governance. However, he lamented that such honour had been eroded over time.
He called for urgent reforms to restore the dignity and value of traditional leadership, arguing that rather than being a liability, they should contribute to national development.
“The aura, dignity, and respect of traditional rulers must be restored, making them an asset rather than a burden to Nigeria’s progress,” he stressed.
Obasanjo further underscored the importance of moral reformation among traditional rulers, particularly those with deep-rooted historical significance, asserting that if properly restructured, they could play a key role in shaping the country’s future.