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.
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.
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.
Osun monarch faces COVID-19 fraud trial in US
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede of Apetu of Ipetumodu is 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.
