How Drug Lords and Bandits Are Infiltrating Traditional Rulership in Nigeria, According to Obasanjo

 

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has sounded an alarm over what he describes as a disturbing trend in Nigeria’s traditional institutions. In his newly released book, Nigeria: Past and Future, unveiled in March 2025 to mark his 88th birthday, Obasanjo asserts that the once-revered system of traditional rulership is being infiltrated by individuals with criminal backgrounds, including drug lords, bandits, and kidnappers. This development, he argues, has significantly eroded the dignity, honor, and moral standing historically associated with these roles, posing a serious threat to Nigeria’s socio-political fabric. This article explores Obasanjo’s claims, the context behind this phenomenon, its implications for Nigerian society, and potential solutions to address this growing concern.

Obasanjo’s Revelations: A Diluted and Polluted Institution

In Chapter 14 of Nigeria: Past and Future, Obasanjo laments the decline of traditional rulership, a system that once played a pivotal role in maintaining social order and cultural integrity during colonial and early post-independence eras. He writes, “Today, there are criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits, and kidnappers as so-called traditional rulers. This is a great pity, and it has greatly contributed to the problems of Nigeria by traditional rulers.” He attributes this degradation to the abandonment of the traditional training and apprenticeship systems that once ensured rulers were individuals of high moral character and competence.

Obasanjo’s critique goes further, citing specific examples of misconduct, such as a traditional ruler snatching a ballot box during an election and fleeing with it—an act he sees as emblematic of the moral decay within these institutions. He argues that the rapid proliferation of traditional rulers, many of whom lack the requisite qualifications or ethical grounding, has diluted the institution’s prestige and polluted its legacy. For Obasanjo, this trend is not just a cultural loss but a significant contributor to Nigeria’s broader challenges, including insecurity and governance failures.

The Context: How Criminals Are Becoming Traditional Rulers

The infiltration of traditional rulership by individuals with criminal tendencies is a complex issue rooted in Nigeria’s socio-economic and political dynamics. Several factors contribute to this trend:

1. Weakened Selection Processes: Traditionally, the appointment of rulers in Nigeria involved rigorous community-based processes, often guided by kingmakers and rooted in cultural norms. However, these processes have been undermined by political interference, corruption, and the commercialization of titles. In some cases, individuals with financial power or connections to political elites can secure traditional titles, regardless of their background or moral standing.
2. Economic Incentives and Power: Traditional rulership in Nigeria often comes with significant influence, land ownership, and access to resources. For drug lords, bandits, and other criminals, acquiring such titles offers a means to legitimize their wealth, gain social acceptance, and secure protection from prosecution. The title can serve as a shield, providing a veneer of respectability while allowing them to continue illicit activities behind the scenes.
3. Insecurity and Power Vacuums: In regions plagued by banditry and insurgency, such as Nigeria’s Northwest, traditional rulers have sometimes been co-opted or replaced by criminal elements. Bandits and drug lords may exploit power vacuums created by weak governance and insecurity to install themselves or their proxies as community leaders, thereby consolidating control over territories and resources.
4. Cultural and Institutional Decline: Obasanjo highlights the erosion of the traditional apprenticeship system, where prospective rulers were mentored and trained in leadership, ethics, and community service. This decline has lowered the barriers to entry, allowing individuals without the necessary preparation or integrity to assume these roles.

Case Studies and Evidence

While Obasanjo’s book does not provide specific names, anecdotal evidence and recent events in Nigeria lend credence to his claims. In the Northwest, for instance, banditry has become a significant security threat, with some community leaders reportedly collaborating with criminal groups to maintain peace or secure economic benefits. In Zamfara State, reports have surfaced of traditional rulers being implicated in negotiations with bandits, raising questions about their neutrality and integrity.

Similarly, in urban areas, there have been instances of individuals with questionable backgrounds ascending to traditional positions. In some cases, these individuals are linked to drug trafficking networks, using their newfound status to launder money or influence local politics. The commercialization of chieftaincy titles, where titles are sold to the highest bidder, has further exacerbated this problem, allowing wealthy criminals to buy legitimacy.

Implications for Nigerian Society

The infiltration of traditional rulership by criminals has far-reaching consequences for Nigeria:

1. Erosion of Trust: Traditional rulers have historically served as custodians of culture and mediators in community disputes. Their association with criminality undermines public trust, weakening their ability to fulfill these roles effectively.
2. Increased Insecurity: When traditional rulers are complicit in or directly involved with criminal activities, it complicates efforts to address insecurity. Their influence can be used to protect bandits and drug lords, perpetuating cycles of violence and lawlessness.
3. Governance Challenges: Traditional rulers often play advisory roles in local governance. Their compromised integrity can hinder effective collaboration with government institutions, exacerbating issues like corruption and poor service delivery.
4. Cultural Degradation: The pollution of traditional institutions threatens Nigeria’s cultural heritage, as these roles lose their symbolic and moral significance. This could lead to a further disconnect between communities and their historical roots.

Obasanjo’s Call to Action

Obasanjo does not merely diagnose the problem; he also offers a path forward. He calls for a “moral re-armament” among traditional rulers, urging a return to the values of dignity, honor, and service that once defined these roles. He emphasizes the need to restore the training and apprenticeship systems to ensure that only individuals of proven character and capability ascend to these positions. Additionally, he advocates for traditional rulers to become assets to Nigeria’s development, rather than liabilities, by making meaningful contributions to the nation’s progress.

Potential Solutions

Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach involving government, communities, and traditional institutions themselves:

1. Strengthening Selection Processes: State governments, which oversee the appointment of traditional rulers, should enforce stricter criteria and oversight to ensure that only qualified and reputable individuals are selected. This could include background checks and community consultations to verify candidates’ integrity.
2. Legal Reforms: Laws governing traditional rulership should be updated to include provisions for removing rulers found guilty of criminal activities. This would serve as a deterrent and ensure accountability.
3. Community Empowerment: Communities should be empowered to play a more active role in selecting and monitoring their leaders. This could involve reviving traditional kingmaker councils and ensuring their independence from political interference.
4. Economic Development: Addressing the root causes of criminality, such as poverty and unemployment, can reduce the appeal of using traditional titles as a means of legitimizing illicit wealth. Government investment in education, skills training, and job creation could provide alternative pathways for young people.
5. Public Awareness: Educating the public about the importance of preserving the integrity of traditional institutions can create pressure for reform. Media campaigns and community dialogues could highlight the dangers of allowing criminals to assume these roles.

Expert Perspectives

Experts in Nigerian governance and sociology have echoed Obasanjo’s concerns. Dr. Jideofor Adibe, a political scientist, notes that the commercialization of traditional titles has turned them into a “status symbol for the nouveau riche, including those with questionable sources of wealth.” He argues that restoring the institution’s integrity requires both legal reforms and a cultural shift toward valuing merit over money.

Similarly, Dr. Amina Yusuf, a sociologist specializing in Nigerian traditional systems, points out that the decline of apprenticeship systems has left a vacuum filled by opportunists. She advocates for a revival of these systems, tailored to modern contexts, to ensure that traditional rulers are adequately prepared for their roles.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Nigeria

Obasanjo’s expose on the infiltration of traditional rulership by drug lords, bandits, and kidnappers serves as a wake-up call for Nigeria. It underscores the urgent need to address the systemic failures that have allowed this trend to take root. While traditional institutions have faced challenges in adapting to modern realities, their potential to contribute to national development remains significant. Restoring their dignity and integrity is not just a matter of cultural preservation but a critical step toward addressing Nigeria’s broader security and governance challenges.

As Nigeria grapples with this issue, the responsibility lies with government authorities, traditional leaders, and communities to work collaboratively. By implementing robust reforms, fostering accountability, and prioritizing the public good, Nigeria can reclaim the honor of its traditional institutions and ensure they serve as a force for progress rather than a conduit for criminality. Obasanjo’s critique, while sobering, offers an opportunity for reflection and action—a chance to build a future where traditional rulership aligns with the values and aspirations of the Nigerian people.