*Says palace access does not amount to political endorsement
Musa Umar Bologi, Abuja
A senior All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholder in Niger State and prince of the Bida Emirate, Dr Mohammed K. Santuraki, has warned opposition politicians, especially the People Democratic Party (PDP) against dragging traditional rulers into partisan politics.
Santuraki, the Santurakin Nupe, said access to royal palaces and the receipt of royal blessings should not be presented as endorsements of political ambitions.
- NCAA -
He was reacting to claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Niger State, Alhaji Muhammad Nami, that he had consulted prominent elders and secured the support and blessings of traditional rulers across the state’s eight emirates.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, Santuraki said such claims could create the impression that traditional institutions had endorsed Nami’s candidature or that of a political party.
He said traditional rulers in the state, under the leadership of the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar, remains above partisan political interests.
“As a senior Prince of the Bida Emirate and a stakeholder in the political affairs of Niger State, I consider it necessary to challenge any suggestion that our revered traditional rulers have, collectively or individually, endorsed his candidature or that of any political party or candidate.
“Our traditional rulers are fathers to all, not political patrons to a few,” he said.
Santuraki stressed that the traditional rulers’ willingness to receive politicians and other members of the public should not be misconstrued as support for their political ambitions.
“Access to a royal palace is not a political endorsement. Receiving royal blessings is not an electoral mandate. And the goodwill of our traditional rulers must never be appropriated for partisan advantage,” he said.
He warned that claims of royal endorsements could create suspicion, misunderstanding and unnecessary tension between traditional institutions and the democratically elected government of Niger State.
Santuraki specifically cautioned against allowing partisan political manoeuvring to undermine the cordial relationship between traditional rulers and the administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
According to him, traditional institutions and the state government have distinct but complementary responsibilities in promoting peace, stability and development.
He said traditional rulers were responsible for preserving peace, unity and cultural identity while promoting the welfare, security and development of their subjects, irrespective of political affiliation.
Santuraki urged Nami and other political aspirants to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public statements concerning their relationships with traditional rulers.
He said political competition was legitimate but should not come at the expense of the dignity, neutrality and integrity of traditional institutions.
“Let politicians seek their mandates from the electorate, not manufacture political endorsements from the palaces of our Royal Fathers,” he said.
He added that political contests should be determined by the strength of candidates’ ideas, competence and programmes rather than claims of royal support.
“Our traditional rulers belong to all of us. Their thrones must remain above partisan politics, and their moral authority must never be diminished by the ambitions of those seeking elective office,” Santuraki said.
He called on political actors to protect the peace and unity of Niger State, stressing that the collective interests of the state must take precedence over the ambitions of individuals or political parties.
