Obasanjo Alleges Criminals, Drug Addicts, Bandits Are Becoming Traditional Rulers
- Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said traditional rulers are no longer honoured and respected as before
- Obasanjo said the selection process produces criminals, drug addicts, kidnappers, and bandits as monarchs in the country
- He said many traditional rulers lack the required training and moral standing to be the custodians of culture and justice
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events
Abeokuta, Ogun state - Former President Olusegun Obasanjo lamented that criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits, and kidnappers are becoming traditional rulers.
Obasanjo said the rapid proliferation of traditional rulers has led to the deterioration of traditional institutions in the country.
Source: Getty Images
He lamented the selection processes of traditional rulers with many of them lacking the required training and moral standing.
As reported by Vanguard, Obasanjo stated this in one of his newly released books, Nigeria: Past and Future, in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital last week.
“Today, there are criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits, and kidnappers as so-called traditional rulers.”
The former Nigerian president lamented that some traditional rulers have engaged in disgraceful acts that further damage Nigeria’s fragile system.
Obasanjo bemoaned the abandonment of the traditional training and apprenticeship system that once upheld the dignity of royal offices.
“This is a great pity, and it has greatly contributed to the problems of Nigeria by traditional rulers. How do we account for a traditional ruler snatching a ballot box at an election polling station and running away with it?”
He said the honour and respect traditional rulers commanded during the colonial and early post-independence periods have now been lost.
“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.”
Legit.ng earlier reported that Oba Hameed Adekunle Oyelude of Kuta congratulated Obasanjo on his 88th birthday.
The traditional ruler highlighted Obasanjo’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s economic progress and political evolution.
According to Oba Oyelude, Obasanjo remains an influential figure in governance and diplomacy despite his age.
Source: Facebook
Legit.ng also reported that Obasanjo explained he no longer identifies with the name "Matthew," given by his parents.
The former president said he simply doesn't like it and prefers his traditional Yoruba names.
Obasanjo urged Africans to discard colonial influences, including foreign names, as part of breaking free from the legacies of slavery and colonialism.
Osun monarch faces COVID-19 fraud trial in US
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede of Apetu of Ipetumodu was reportedly facing COVID-19 fraud trial in the United States.
The Osun traditional ruler was said to have been indicted in the US for allegedly submitting falsified PPP and EIDL loan applications in the names of other co-conspirators.
The monarch and another suspect, Edward Oluwasanmi, were charged by a federal court in Cleveland.
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Source: Legit.ng
Adekunle Dada (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Adekunle Dada is a trained journalist with over 7 years of working experience. He is also a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a B.Sc. in Mass Communication From Lagos State University, Ojo. Adekunle previously worked at PM News, The Sun, and Within Nigeria where he expressed his journalistic skills with well-researched articles and features. In 2024, Adekunle obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. He can be reached via adekunle.dada@corp.legit.ng.
Kola Muhammed (Copyeditor) Kola Muhammed is an experienced content strategist who has overseen content and public relations strategies for some of the biggest (media) brands in Sub-Saharan Africa.
