PDP Condemns AbdulRazaq's Politicization of Traditional Institution in Kwara
...Warns Against Dragging Royal Fathers into APC internal Struggles
The Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed deep concern and disappointment over the unfortunate involvement of some traditional rulers in the ongoing internal political crisis and succession battle within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, describing the action as sacreligous and politically unwise.
Our party's secretariat has in recent days been inundated with calls, messages, and visits from concerned Kwarans who have expressed frustration, disappointment, and embarrassment over reports and images showing Kwara traditional rulers being led by the State Chairman of the APC to Abuja in what appears to be an effort to defend the personal political interests of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq before the national leadership of the APC.
In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party said it shares the concerns of many Kwarans who are worried that the state has descended to a level where revered traditional institutions are being forced into open partisan politics, noting that the spectacle of royal fathers being led by APC officials to intervene in an internal party succession dispute as embarrassing, unfortunate, and a stain on the dignity, neutrality, and sanctity of the traditional institution.
The PDP said the development is even more disturbing because it is difficult to find any other state in Nigeria where traditional rulers are so openly drawn into partisan political activities and internal party disputes.
"It is unfortunate that our once highly respected traditional rulers are now being positioned as political campaign managers for a governor who appears desperate to impose a successor on his party and the people of Kwara State. Traditional rulers are custodians of our culture, heritage, peace, and unity. Their institutions command respect because they are expected to stand above partisan politics and serve as fathers to all, irrespective of political affiliation"
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"These traditional institution exists to unite, counsel, preserve culture, and promote peace not to be dragged into partisan political battles. The moment royal fathers are drawn into political contests, the dignity, neutrality, and moral authority of the institution they represent begin to diminish. A traditional ruler who becomes identified with one political interest inevitably risks losing the confidence of citizens who belong to other political tendency . This weakens the capacity of traditional institutions to serve as impartial mediators, symbols of unity, and custodians of communal harmony.
"The tragedy is that while communities across Kwara are battling insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, and violent attacks while many communities are being deserted. Even some traditional rulers have become victims of abduction and attacks, while hospitals are struggling, rural roads are deteriorating, unemployment is rising, and many communities are living in fear, our traditional rulers are not being mobilised to seek urgent intervention and solutions from the Federal Government.
"The people of Kwara expected to see royal fathers leading conversations around security, economic development, education, healthcare, and community welfare. They never expected to see them deployed as emissaries in a partisan battle over who becomes the next governorship candidate of APC.
The PDP therefore urged traditional rulers across the state to jealously guard the sanctity, dignity, and neutrality of their institutions and resist every attempt by the current Abdulrazaq' government to exploit their status and influence for narrow political objectives noting that what happened in the last 2023 elections where some Royal fathers were compelled to work for APC will not be tolerated in 2027.
Our heroes past established traditional rulership to serve as the conscience of society and the father of all. Any government that seeks to compel traditional rulers to wear partisan colours is doing grave damage to a heritage built over centuries. When kings become politicians, the throne inevitably loses part of the honour and reverence that make the institution sacred."
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