Obasanjo Blasts Traditional Rulers: “Criminals, Bandits, and Drug Addicts Now Wear the Crown”

 

Obasanjo Condemns Erosion of Traditional Leadership, Calls for Urgent Reforms

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised alarm over the declining integrity of Nigeria’s traditional leadership, lamenting the infiltration of criminals, drug addicts, and bandits into the royal institutions. He decried the rapid degradation of the values once associated with traditional rulers, emphasizing that the selection processes have become compromised, allowing unworthy individuals to ascend to positions of power.

The former president made these remarks in his newly released book, Nigeria: Past and Future, which was unveiled last week. In the book, Obasanjo paints a grim picture of the state of traditional institutions in the country, blaming their decline on the abandonment of time-honored training and apprenticeship systems that once ensured rulers possessed moral uprightness and leadership qualities.

“Today, there are criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits, and kidnappers being paraded as traditional rulers,” Obasanjo lamented.

Traditional Institutions No Longer Custodians of Justice

According to the former president, many traditional rulers, who were once esteemed as custodians of justice and culture, have now engaged in disgraceful acts that have further weakened Nigeria’s already fragile socio-political landscape. He recounted a shocking instance where a monarch was caught engaging in electoral malpractice.

“How do we account for a traditional ruler snatching a ballot box at an election polling station and running away with it?” he asked.

Obasanjo argued that such disgraceful incidents illustrate the extent to which royal institutions have lost their credibility. He reminisced about the colonial and early post-independence era when traditional rulers commanded immense respect and dignity. Those days, he noted, have now been replaced with a diluted and polluted system that allows individuals with questionable backgrounds to ascend to the throne.

“The class of traditional rulers with their distinction, honor, and dignity, as we knew them in the colonial days and early post-independence days, has been diluted and polluted,” he said.

Call for Urgent Reform in Traditional Leadership

The former president did not only lament the situation but also called for immediate reforms to salvage what remains of Nigeria’s traditional institutions. He stressed that the dignity, aura, and respect once associated with traditional rulers must be restored, ensuring they contribute positively to national development rather than becoming a liability.

“That dignity, aura, and respect should be brought back, and traditional rulers should be an asset to Nigeria’s development and greatness and not a liability,” he declared.

Furthermore, Obasanjo called for a moral rejuvenation within the ranks of traditional rulers, particularly those who belong to historic and ancient dynasties. He believes that if properly repositioned, traditional leaders can play a vital role in shaping Nigeria’s future.

“There is a need for moral re-armament among the traditional rulers—the ancient and historic ones. And they can and should make meaningful contributions to the Nigeria of our dreams that will serve the purpose and interest of all,” he emphasized.

Traditional Rulers as Agents of National Growth

The former president’s statements have sparked conversations about the need to reform Nigeria’s traditional leadership system. Many believe that his call for integrity, discipline, and transparency in selecting traditional rulers is timely, especially as the country grapples with political instability and moral decline.

With traditional rulers playing a crucial role in governance at the grassroots level, their credibility and moral standing directly impact society. As Obasanjo has warned, failing to cleanse the system could further weaken Nigeria’s cultural institutions, making them breeding grounds for corruption and lawlessness.

As discussions on the subject continue, Nigerians will be watching to see if these concerns will translate into tangible reforms aimed at restoring the honor and credibility of the country’s royal institutions.