Traditional Institutions In The Country Must Be Protected – Atiku Stresses

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has said that traditional institutions in the country must be protected from the arbitrariness of state governments that threaten their stability.

This was as he joined the advocacy for constitutional reform that will not just recognize traditional institutions in our body of laws but, also define the responsibilities of their offices.

Atiku also said that when the structure of ascension of traditional rulers becomes unstable, it will become equally difficult to maintain peace and orderliness in communities.

He noted that even though the 1999 constitution, in its current format, does not ascribe any recognition to traditional institutions, yet the nation’s experiences showed clearly that they perform enormous roles in the economic life of their domains, as well as maintenance of peace and security in communities.

Atiku, who stated these in his X handle (Twitter), noted that recent developments in the country has seen a growing tendency of state governments exerting influence in distorting the modalities of enthroning traditional stools.

In the words of Atiku; “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 is 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”.

Atiku stressed the traditional institutions formed the governance structures before the advent of the colonialists, adding that they governed well.

He further said; “Consequently, they are institutions we must protect and preserve and not destroy.

“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,” he said.

Atiku therefore appealed to state governors to accord the necessary respect to the offices of traditional institutions, stressing that the customs that our traditional rulers represent is the totality of our heritage as a people.