Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed concern over the declining standards in selecting traditional rulers in Nigeria, claiming that unfit individuals, including criminals and drug addicts, have infiltrated the royal institutions.
In his newly released book, he criticized the loss of integrity in traditional leadership, attributing it to the abandonment of the strict training and mentorship system that once upheld the dignity of royal offices.
According to him, the uncontrolled increase in the number of traditional rulers has played a role in Nigeria’s socio-political challenges.
“Today, there are criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits, and kidnappers being recognized as so-called traditional rulers,” he stated.
Obasanjo condemned the moral decline among some traditional rulers, accusing them of engaging in unethical activities instead of upholding culture and justice. He mentioned a case where a monarch was caught participating in electoral malpractice.
“How do we justify a traditional ruler snatching a ballot box at an election polling station and running away with it?” he asked.
Looking back, the former president recalled that traditional rulers were once highly respected, especially during the colonial and early post-independence eras. However, he lamented that their honor and reputation have now been “diluted and polluted.”
Obasanjo urged immediate reforms to restore the dignity of traditional institutions, emphasizing that these leaders should contribute to Nigeria’s progress rather than hinder it.
“That dignity, aura, and respect must be restored. Traditional rulers should contribute to Nigeria’s greatness, not add to its problems,” he declared.
He stressed the importance of restoring moral values among traditional rulers, especially those from historically significant lineages. He argued that if properly guided and reformed, they could play a crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s future.
