Need To Caution Imo Traditional Rulers On Excessive Involvement In Politics. By Nwamkpa Modestus

For some people, what we have today in Imo state as Royal fathers are more of political Rulers than traditional and this is becoming quite worrisome. The excessive involvement of our supposedly traditional Rulers and the manner they debase the revered institution has continued to attract negative commentary and condemnation warranting a quick reprimand on those who ordinarily should be the custodians of our culture and tradition in different autonomous communities across the state but who prefer to eat the food meant for Children.

I am particularly worried just like many others the way our Royal fathers throw caution to the wind and chase political office holders around in pursuit of peanuts and handouts. Some of the shameless ones among them go to the extent of visiting certain government appointees in their private and official residences and many a times, they are kept outside the gates or in open veranda or Porch of the Houses of these politicians for hours while waiting for the appointees. At times, their visits were just to beg the politician to come and be conferred with all manner of Titles in expectation of money or play the usual but reprehensible sycophancy. This is very ridiculous just to say the least.

Our Traditional Rulers are becoming a shame to the Igbo culture and respectability. They have lost all sense of honour and reverence and many of them appear to be unconcerned with this ignorable behavior and what it portends for the image and dignity of Igboland and Imo state to the outside world.

Elsewhere in the North and South West in particular, Traditional Rulers are revered and dignified unlike in Igbo land especially in Imo state where our Traditional Rulers are taken and treated like House Boys by those in power. The Traditional Rulers are no longer worth the cap the wear and this calls for a serious concern to anybody whose Igbo parentage is not questionable.

Although, there are very infinitesimal number of them who still accord themselves and the crown the wear some degree of honour and respect but majority of them have lost the finest for which the traditional institution is known for. Some of them are more political than the real politicians and some are quick to tell you that they were politicians first before becoming Traditional Rulers just to shamelessly defend their bizarre attitudes. I bet you, a good number of them do not even bother about the preservation of the customs of their areas and usually give less attention to the yearly cultural activities of their respective communities which is their primary responsibilities but are quick to attend political meetings in cities and private residences and many of those meetings last late in the midnight and after which they check into Hotels and Guest House indulging in all manner of immoral and amorous escapes. They attend and disguise at night clubs wearing jeans Trousers, body Hugs and face caps. Chai! Imo Traditional Rulers indeed. Of course, how can they attract respect from the people when they have sacrificed their own respect on the altar of pettiness.

Our Traditional Rulers have gone berserk and they need to be called to order. And this is why politicians and political office holder use them as Rags and House Boys. Why not? Respect is earned and not dashed. Whatever you call your Dog, that name it will answer. If you call it Bingo, it will answer that. This is in line with the maxim that “ Those who tear the garment of their honour, wear the mask of disgrace” Some Imo Traditional Rulers are wearing the mask of disgrace and I say this with every sense of responsibility and deep concern.

With this period of high political activities, our political, sorry Traditional Rulers have joined the fray, pursuing political office seekers, baptizing, anointing, corronating, conferring them with all manner of ridiculous Titles and many a times openly campaigning for them in such a way that brings opprobrium to their respective autonomous communities instead of acting a father figure role to all political office seekers irrespective of their political party leaning. Ordinarily, traditional Rulers are not suppose to take side in a political time like this because they are like fathers to everybody but in Imo state as a case study, what we have here is regrettable and annoying. Who caused this to our Traditional Rulers in this state!

The kind of dirty story about the dishonorable behavior of some of them that come out every day is quite disturbing. In fact, it was alleged last time that they were asked to do match past in the open at the Stadium in one of the government events. The truth, iam yet to verify but I will not be surprised if it comes out to be true because ‘water don pass garri’ I wonder if the gods hear them again when the observe libation as it used to be because they appear to have sacrilegiously polluted the land and its sanctity.

Again, more worrisome is the fact that even their wives (Ugo Ezes) also get involved with their Husband in this journey of absurdity. While their Husbands/Royal fathers wear the toga of political leaders cum Traditional Rulers, their wives act as political women leaders of their respective autonomous communities. Oh God help us! Obodo emebiela.

The Chairman of the Imo Traditional institution must as a matter of necessity call his members to order. Well, when the water is polluted from its source, it will affect its tributaries but I wish him strength and luck in this task. Government and political office holders should help our revered institution and stop forthwith from debasing our Traditional Rulers. The idea of appointing a Traditional Ruler to be the head of a government political outfit like we have in Imo state in the name of CGC must stop because it has the tendency of exposing our Traditional Rulers to avoidable crisis and political exposure. Until the rotten tooth is removed, the mouth must continue to chew with caution.

It is at this point that I shall pause for now. Until next time when I come your way, please bear in mind that we are still Apostles on the altar of Truth. Truth has always been our basement. We profess it undiluted and it is only the same Truth that will continue to set us free.

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