10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

The once revered and autonomous traditional institution in Nigeria in the precolonial era, with a sophisticated structure of governance and sustained statehood, has witnessed a systematic erosion of its power since the colonial era to the present. The examination of historical and contemporary assaults on Nigeria’s traditional rulership forms the central theme of this paper, while appraising, and tracing the trajectory from the century-old colonial Deposed Chiefs Removal Ordinance of 1917 and successive post-colonial political anti traditional rulers frameworks. The paper employs comparative case study approach, drawing secondary data from historical cases across the Northern and Southern Nigeria including the dethronement of Sultan Dasuki, Emir Jokolo of Gwandu, and King Jaja of Opobo, Oba Ovonramwen of Benin, and the recent drama in Kano involving Sanusi Lamido and Aminu Ado Bayero. The research is anchored on the New Elite Paradigm, which tourch-lights the “disunified,” “competitive,” and often violent relationships between political and traditional elites. The findings reveals that the governing elites have reduced traditional institution- a once-glorious edifice to a pawn on their political chessboard, hence, weaponising deposition and banishment for compelling loyalty and enforcing obedience. Traditional rulers, despite enduring popular reverence and acceptance, especially in rural areas, operate under constitutional frameworks that subjugates them to the governors, who wield authority of appointment and deposition. In conclusion, the paper holds that the expected contribution by traditional rulers to governance, conflict resolution, and cultural preservation has been weakened. Constitutional reforms that guarantee the security of the throne, restoration of autonomy over customary and succession matters and allocation of roles in governance are recommended as pathways toward rehabilitating the crumbling edifice.