Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has decried over selection processes of traditional rulers in the country, saying that criminals, drug addicts, bandits, and kidnappers have infiltrated royal institutions.
Chief Obasanjo led this out in a book titled , ‘Past and Future, recently published to mark his 88th birthday in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The former president said that the rapid proliferation of monarchs has led to the deterioration of traditional institutions in the country.
He noted that instead of being custodians of culture and justice, some traditional rulers have engaged in disgraceful acts that further damage the country’s fragile system.
Obasanjo said: “Today, there are criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits and kidnappers as so-called traditional rulers.
“This is a great pity, and it has greatly contributed to the problems of Nigeria by traditional rulers.
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“How do we account for a traditional ruler snatching a ballot box at an election polling station and running away with it?
“The class of traditional rulers with their distinction, honour and dignity, as we knew them in the colonial days and early post-independence days, has been diluted and polluted.
“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.
“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.”
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