Following leadership tussle in Kano Emirate, Atiku Abubakar has called for respect for traditional institutions by state governments.
The former vice president said though the traditional institutions were not recognized by Nigeria’s constitution, the roles of the royal stools must be respected.
Atiku’s advice was a comment on the Kano Emirate tussle between the 15th Emir, Ado Bayero and the Kano State government of Governor Abba Yusuf.
Through a law made by the Kano State House of Assembly, Governor Yusuf dissolved five emirates created by his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje. Ganduje had in his administration removed the 14th Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, alleging disrespect to authority. He, thereafter, created five emirates, one of which Ado Bayero was head.
Since Governor Yusuf took power in 2023, in May the assented to the law that repelled the five emirs created and reinstated Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano.
The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku said, “Recent developments in the country have 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 are 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.
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“And thus, traditional institutions must be protected from the arbitrariness of state governments that threaten their stability.”
Atiku said “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.”
The former vice president for constitutional recognition of traditional institutions. He also called for review of the constitution for royal stools to have legally assigned roles.
“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 are the totality of our heritage as a people,” Atiku added.
