When a Throne Loses Its Honour: How Modern Politics and Insecurity Weakened Nigeria’s Traditional Institutions

By Sam Agogo

For centuries, traditional rulers in Nigeria—Emirs, Obas, Ezes, Obis, Tor Tiv, Attahs, and Shehus—were more than symbolic leaders. They were the custodians of culture, justice, and communal identity. Their palaces were centers of governance, their words carried law-like authority, and their presence alone commanded respect. People came to them to settle disputes, seek guidance, or pay homage. The ruler rarely left the palace; the palace was where society converged.

In pre-colonial and early historical eras, traditional rulers wielded extraordinary power. They legislated, adjudicated disputes, managed land and resources, mobilized armies, and maintained order. They oversaw festivals, safeguarded traditions, and carried the spiritual authority of their people. Their authority was total and sacred. The palace was not merely a residence — it was a seat of governance. Chiefs and sub-chiefs, village heads, and district heads all derived their authority from the throne. Communal labor, security, land tenure, conflict resolution, cultural festivals — all passed through the office of the ruler. In many regions, there was no formal court or police station; the ruler’s court and guards were homegrown institutions that commanded respect, fear, and loyalty. In that era, a governor or foreign administrator could not rival the reverence accorded to a legitimate throne.

Colonialism began a slow erosion of this power. The British, while relying on traditional rulers for indirect governance, subjected them to colonial control, deposing those who resisted and restructuring institutions to suit administrative convenience. After independence, successive governments continued to push rulers into ceremonial roles. Courts, police, land management, and administration were vested in modern institutions, leaving palaces dependent on political goodwill. Governors gained the power to install, suspend, or remove rulers, a privilege that reduced once-sacred authority to political convenience.

Modern politics and money have further hollowed out the throne. Some rulers, seeking relevance or influence, openly align with politicians or attend partisan events. Others allow wealthy sponsors to influence succession or distribute chieftaincy titles. When a throne becomes a tool for political maneuvering, the people see it as transactional. The crown earns applause, not awe. It is no longer a symbol of impartial leadership, but a stage for patronage. Yet, not all rulers are complicit; many maintain neutrality, uphold integrity, and serve their communities faithfully, ensuring respect endures.

Insecurity now compounds the crisis. Traditional rulers are increasingly targets of kidnappers, bandits, and armed criminals. In Kwara, Edo, and Kogi states, monarchs have been abducted, humiliated, or killed. Some have fled their domains, leaving communities bereft of guidance. Palaces, once centers of order and culture, are now vulnerable. The crown, once a source of protection, has become a mark of risk.

The situation is tragic, but the story is not one-sided. Many rulers continue to mediate disputes, preserve customs, educate youth, and act as moral compasses. Where rulers maintain neutrality and integrity, communities still honor them. Some use their influence to support education, development, and peacebuilding. The institution retains relevance when it upholds service, impartiality, and moral authority.

Nigeria now faces a crucial choice. Traditional rulers must be protected from violence, political exploitation, and monetary manipulation. Thrones should not be used as political tools, nor should rulers be humiliated for challenging political interests. Communities should determine succession, not politicians or moneyed elites. The crown must be insulated from exploitation, and traditional institutions must be recognized for their roles in cultural preservation, dispute resolution, and communal governance.

When a throne loses its honour, society loses one of its roots. Identity erodes. Memory fades. Values become untethered. Conflict replaces justice, and insecurity replaces community order. But the crown need not die quietly. In the hands of honorable men and women who serve their people rather than politicians, the throne can rise again. Respect, dignity, and cultural authority can be restored.

The moment has come for Nigeria to reclaim its heritage. To humiliate, manipulate, or expose rulers to danger is to weaken the nation itself. The crown, when honored and protected, is not merely a symbol of tradition — it is the heartbeat of society.

Comments, Reflections, and Further Conversation:
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