In this piece, Okey Nnamani examines the limited role of trational rulers and how the institution can be strengthened to play complimentary roles governance.
Many Nigerians have been agitating for constitutional roles for traditional rulers. They point out that the monarchs are critical to the progress of their states. They make reference to Imo State, where the institution is perceived as a semblance of the fourth tier of government. though with flaws.
If democracy had grown in Nigeria, there would have been a grassroots government headed by the royal fathers. Conversely, some have also argued that, given the enormity of respect and peculiar responsibilities performed by the traditional institution, they deserve definite constitutional roles in the polity.
However, others have argued that the royal fathers should be shielded from trivial matters, especially those that tend to be divisive or sectional, and that royal stools should be kept sacrosanct while the occupants should strive at all times to live above board. Every act capable of lowering their esteem should be avoided.
In the olden days, the only people that were known not to be blemish in any aspect were the traditional rulers. Their wisdom and technocracy in conflict resolution and enforcement of laws that promoted peace and good neighborliness were admired and celebrated. They were aptly described as reservoirs of wisdom. They offered good advice and moulded character. Considering their grassroots orientation, they represented the true reflections of the people. Both civilian and military administrations appreciated their strategic roles in nation building. Heads of Governments and visiting Heads of States paid them homage, apparently because they were completely detached from partisanship and sectionalism.
During the phantom coup trial in the days of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, traditional rulers were transported to the seat of power to take a look at the purported video tape of the incident. The aim was to convince them that, indeed, there was a plot and an attempt to forcefully topple the government. The monarchs were viewed as the custodians of truth. Over time, it has become a practice for their opinions to be sought before any crucial decision is taken.
Borrowing a leaf from the Unites States of America, former Enugu State Governor Chimaroke Nnamani introduced the ‘Community County Council’, which was established in all the autonomous communities in the state. Frank Nweke (Jnr) was the Coordinator and it was visibly impactful as it fast-tracked developments in the rural areas. For either lack of political will or otherwise, the initiative could not be sustained beyond Nnamani’s tenure. But, it was laudable.
His successor, Governor Sullivan Chime, has also ensured every community has a traditional ruler. He went further to make them relatively comfortable. Also, he kept harping on their impartiality and non-partisanship. They are to con
tribute to governance by giving advice and maintaining peace in their domains. The governor has increased the welfare package for traditional rulers. But, the ovation was short lived.
The events that followed showed that those largesse were merely Greek gifts. Heavy strings were attached. Among others, they must become very partisan at the appropriate time. They must be used as vehicles to drive the petty and informal interests of their benefactor and his favoured team. Failure to do so would cost them their staffs of office and the government vehicles they have in their possessions. Those whose children, spouses and relatives are in government or enjoying government patronage would be victimised. The riot acts were read gradually and their emotions were systematically manipulated. For instance, nobody can contemplate the grim prospects of deposed royal fathers and sudden loss of pre-eminence.
When the governor unfolded his plan to retire many elders and contemporaries in Enugu State politics, he rhetorically informed the traditional rulers that the pay-back-time had finally come.Any suspected or confirmed dissenting voice must be ruthlessly dealt with.
Four traditional rulers are today having their powers and authorities being questioned by the government. Their offence: they openly associated with the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, visited his house and acknowledged the developmental projects he attracted to their domains.
For fear of being visited with similar treatment, royal fathers in Enugu State are determined to play active politics. Majority are now state government contractors. This ignoble trend is more pronounced in Nkanu part of the state, which constitutes the Enugu-East Senatorial Zone where Ifeoma Nwobodo is scheming to replace Senator Gilbert Nnaji. On her entourage are council chairmen, monarchs and other party officials. Since the inauguration of the local council administration, no chairman has actually spent one full day in office. They always accompany Mrs. Nwobodo, who is on the political tour of the district, although she has not got the ticket.
Traditional rulers in Enugu State today, apart from attending party rallies, also accompany aspirants to political campaigns under duress. To underscore the extent of misplacement of priorities, these royal fathers have now joined the campaign that, whether he performs or not, any senator in that zone must do only one term. The implication therefore, is that, once it is your turn to become a senator, you do not need to offer anything, except seeking to settle yourself, knowing that whichever way, you will not return to the Senate. What a backward and counter-productive political ideology being championed only in Enugu State and in a zone that has produced the likes of Ken Nnamani, Jim NWobodo, Chimaroke Nnamani, Frank Nweke, Bart Nnaji, Ogbonnaya Onovo and a host of retired military officers. It is more disturbing that those that should speak the truth dispassionately are being used to rubber stamp this wicked falsehood aimed at destroying some people.
However, it is not in doubt that both Jim Nwobodo and Ken Nnamani had wonderful outings at the Senate, but Chimaroke Nnamani as the governor would not allow them to continue in office, due to the political maneuverings of the moment. He deployed state apparatus to frustrate them one after another for personal gain. His successor, Chime, used the same weapon on him. And now, Ifeoma Nwobodo, the de facto governor, is unleashing her arsenal to frustrate Senator Gilbert Nnaji. The traditional rulers who today are the praise-singers of Ifeoma Nwobodo were recently disgraced at a forum in the zone. Also, they did not see anything wrong in the way their son, Sunday Onyebuchi, the deputy governor, has been humiliated in the battle for the leadership of Nkanu Zone.
The freedom of the traditional rulers has been mortgaged. In all ramifications, their senses of morality and dignity are now being ridiculed, owing to their involvement in partisan politics. Are they not being conscious of the legacies they should leave for their children and loved ones? Is it merely for material gains that they brazenly desecrate the highly revered institution? Their self respects are now being sacrificed. In the nearest future, they shall be discredited. But then, for how long do they still need to walk this destructive road to realise that their birthrights have since been up for grabs? They should be reminded of the sanctity of the royal palaces of the old, except one is being made to believe that it is only in Enugu State that such absurdity obtains.
In conclusion, the Enugu State experience has greatly undermined the agitation for constitutional roles for the royal fathers, especially in the on-going national conference.
