Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has banned traditional rulers across the 21 local government area from giving out chieftaincy or traditional titles to anybody without approval of the state government.
The governor said the level of land and chieftaincy crises that have risen from such titles in the state was overwhelming and has caused serious insecurity; hence the need to stemmed the tides.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Salami Ozigi stated this on Tuesday in Lokoja during a meeting with the traditional council and local government administrators.
Barr. Ozigi said “No traditional ruler must take any step to create any chiefdom without the notice or authority of the state government.
“No traditional institutions must create or crown any chief or district head either temporarily or permanently without government authority.
“The creation of such chiefs and head by traditional rulers has caused a lot of crises in the state. Majority of the insecurity witnessed in the state, and 70 percent of legal matters against the state government steamed from chieftaincy and land crises.
Any undue appointments or creation of traditional head without recourse to the government will be dealt with, there will be consequences; both the appointed and the traditional ruler that made such appointments will be not be spared.”
Ozigi said the decision or order of the state government was not to undermined the traditional institutions, “Crime and criminality have left the local area and moved to the highways because of government efforts, what is left in the rural areas are chieftaincy crises.
Ozigi further revealed that the state government has taken action to address all conflicts, even those in court; just as he promised to make a priority, the welfare of the traditional institutions.
Responding, the Attah Igala, HRM Ameh Oboni (11) urged the state government to look into the land and Traditional law operative in the state said it was created without the involvement of the traditional institutions.
The state government must look at the gazette used for traditional institutions. There is need to amend the foundation. The structure was not good, that is why the house is shaking.
“Presently, the traditional rulers are finding it difficult to operate between traditional law and modern law. There is need to review the law. All is not well with the gazette used for traditional institutions in the state.”
The Attah also took a swipe against some traditional rulers in their quest to acquired higher position, “The rush for traditional rulers to get 1st or 2nd class is not ideal. Many 1st class rulers have no responsibility for their positions.
It is high time traditional rulers put into consideration the check and balances of our land. There are 1st and 2nd class rulers who have no power on land matters; they are just holding on to ‘juju’ tittle.”
With this development, the state government now have more power over traditional rulers considering the fact whoever is to receive the any chieftaincy tittle now be subject to state government screening and approvals.