Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, has cautioned Governor Alex Otti and the Labour Party against what he described as the dangerous politicization of traditional institutions in the State.
Chukwu while reacting to the ongoing tours and political mobilization activities by the Abia State Traditional Rulers Council in support of Governor Otti’s reelection bid, described the development as “constitutionally disturbing, morally inappropriate and democratically unhealthy.”
He called on the Abia State Traditional Rulers Council to most respectfully withdraw from open political mobilization for Governor Otti’s re-election and preserve what he described as “the sacred neutrality, honour and dignity of traditional institutions.
Chukwu stated that while encouraging citizens to obtain Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remains a commendable civic responsibility, openly mobilizing traditional institutions for the political benefit of an incumbent governor violates the spirit of neutrality expected from royal fathers.
“Traditional rulers are fathers of all irrespective of political affiliations. Their revered stools are symbols of communal unity, cultural heritage and moral authority, not extensions of partisan political structures.”
The APC Chairman warned that the open endorsement of a political candidate by traditional rulers could intimidate opposition voices at the grassroots and erode public confidence in the neutrality of traditional institutions.
Chukwu further drew the attention of the Abia State Governor, the Labour Party and the Traditional Rulers Council to Section 221 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 which provides that no association, other than a political party, shall canvass for votes for any candidate at any election, emphasizing that the Traditional Rulers Council is not a political party rather a sacred and hallowed traditional institution.
He also cited Section 96(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits the use of public institutions and official authority for political campaigns and propaganda, arguing that traditional institutions founded and recognized under state structures ought not to be converted into campaign machinery for any political party.
“Democracy thrives on freedom of political choice, plurality of opinions and institutional neutrality. Once royal fathers begin to openly campaign for one political tendency, the delicate moral balance expected of traditional leadership becomes compromised.”
He maintained that the role of traditional rulers is to stay neutral and bless every political office holder or political party that approach them for blessings while raising serious concerns regarding the unconscionable involvement of traditional institutions in partisan political activities across the State orchestrated by the State Government.
Chukwu stressed that no governor should be presented as beyond criticism or democratic contest, insisting that leadership in a constitutional democracy must remain subject to scrutiny, electoral competition and accountability.
“For the records, the duty of traditional rulers is peacebuilding, cultural preservation and community leadership, not partisan electioneering,” he added.
The Abia APC Chairman further warned that if such actions continue, the APC in the State would be compelled to take decisive legal steps to ensure appropriate restraint, including, where necessary, calling for the intervention of relevant federal authorities to prevent what he described as “a dangerous slide toward political intimidation and possible breakdown of democratic order.”
“No responsible opposition party will fold its arms while traditional institutions are allegedly deployed in a manner capable of intimidating opposition voices and creating an atmosphere of political fear within communities,” he said.
Chukwu warned that allowing traditional institutions to become openly partisan could set a dangerous precedent capable of undermining democratic plurality, suppressing dissenting or opposition political opinions and deepening political tension within communities across the State.
