Kwara's Traditional Rulers Drawn into Party Politics: Governor Accused of Compromising Royal Integrity

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has drawn sharp criticism for allegedly sponsoring a delegation of traditional rulers and party stakeholders on a trip to Abuja. The purpose, according to reports, was to lobby the presidency and the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to endorse Salihu Yakubu Danladi for the 2027 Kwara governorship election.

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There is something fundamentally wrong and deeply troubling about this development, and this should worry every Kwaran.

This move is considered deeply troubling and unconscionable, as it allegedly compromises the dignity, neutrality, and integrity of the traditional institution. Critics argue that traditional rulers occupy a sacred, non-partisan space, deriving their authority from being fathers to all, regardless of political affiliation. When a monarch engages in political lobbying for a specific politician, their neutrality is compromised, eroding the moral authority that makes the institution respected.

Governor Abdulrazaq is accused of exploiting his influence over traditional rulers, who are often vulnerable due to their reliance on state executives for emoluments and recognition. By conscripting these monarchs into his political permutations, he is seen as demonstrating a desperate attempt to secure his party's governorship candidate and, by extension, his own political future beyond his current term.

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It’s unconscionable and condemnable, not only for what it says about the desperation of Governor Abdulrahman, but for what it does to the dignity, neutrality, and integrity of the traditional institution.

Supporters of the governor have attempted to offer an alternative explanation, claiming the monarchs traveled to Abuja not to lobby for Danladi, but to mediate an internal crisis within the APC. However, this argument is widely dismissed as ridiculous and laughable. Critics question since when settling disputes within a political party became the constitutional or traditional responsibility of monarchs, who are custodians of culture and community values, not party dispute committees.

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The moment a traditional ruler is seen doing the political bidding of a politician, that neutrality is compromised, and with it, the moral authority that makes the traditional institution relevant and respected.

Regardless of the explanation, the optics are deemed embarrassing and troubling. The decision to involve traditional rulers in partisan politics is considered both unfortunate and dangerous, prompting calls for their exemption from such activities and for political leaders to respect the sanctity of their thrones.

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This argument is both ridiculous and laughable.