Traditional rulers
in Nigeria have been known to play a significant role in the socio
political development of the country. Being custodians of the
traditional values of the people, they have become opinion leaders in
the society. Any politician who shows disrespect to traditional rulers
is not likely to succeed in the domain of such rulers. It is not
therefore strange to see those seeking political offices in the
forthcoming general elections in the country trooping to the palaces of
these elders for blessings and prayers. The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad
Abubakar, believed to be the highest ranking traditional ruler in
northern Nigeria recently advised Nigerians to vote based on their
conscience. He said: “God has a reason for making us to live together
as different tribes with religious, ethnic and political differences.”
When President Goodluck Jonathan visited the Lamido of Adamawa,
Barkindo Mustapha, in the course of his campaign tour, the traditional
ruler urged the northern people to improve their relationship with the
people of the South-South by supporting Mr Jonathan’s quest for the
presidency. “There is no doubt that the North has enjoyed tremendous
support of southern leaders in piloting the affairs of the nation since
independence. Therefore, this spirit of sportsmanship should continue
in the present political dispensation so that every citizen will have a
sense of belonging,” Mr Barkindo said. It was the same story when the
presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change,
Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Tunde Bakare visited the
traditional ruler of Oke-Ona in Egbaland, Adedapo Tejuoso. The
traditional ruler could not hide his support for the duo, he even named
them after two Bible heroes, Joshua and Caleb.
Consequences of disrespect
It appears the
governor of Oyo State is reaping the reward of his disrespect for
traditional rulers in his state, including the Aalafin of Oyo, Lamidi
Adeyemi, According to a source in his campaign group, the rulers have
given their blessings to other candidates instead of the governor.
“Some of them have been given royal blessing and that means a lot to us
(the Yoruba). So, it is not that they are so powerful, but they know
what their people want and how to talk to them,” the source said.
Just recently,
another disrespectful governor got his own share of the wrath of a
traditional ruler. The governor of Cross River State was snubbed by the
King of Calabar when he came to seek blessings. The King who was not
recognised by the governor when the President visited Calabar felt
disrespected by the governor. When he heard that the governor was
coming to his palace to seek his support for re-election, the
traditional ruler left a message that he was out of town and delegated
his wife and the kingmakers to entertain his unwanted guest. Mr Imoke
apologised immediately after realising his mistake. The big question
here is that, has Mr Akala realised his?
Brisk business from visits
As politicians
troop to the palaces of traditional rulers all over the country, people
working in the palaces have been making money from such visits. The
secretary to a traditional ruler in Osun State, Abiodun Eniola, told
NEXT how he was able to build a house and send his children to good
schools from what visitors to the palace give him. “I can make my
salary (20,000) in one week. It depends on those visiting the palace,”
Mr Eniola said.
As the elections draw nearer, the palaces of traditional rulers will
surely host many more guests and the likes of Mr Eniola scattered all
over the country will be smiling to the banks. As for those politicians
with no regards for the traditional rulers, Nigerians will soon find
out if they will get away with it.
