Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Abia State, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, has warned Governor Alex Otti and the Labour Party against politicising traditional institutions in the state.
Reacting to the ongoing tours and mobilisation by the Abia State Traditional Rulers Council in support of Governor Otti’s re-election bid, Chukwu described the development as “constitutionally disturbing, morally inappropriate and democratically unhealthy.”
He called on the Council to withdraw from open political mobilisation and preserve “the sacred neutrality, honour and dignity of traditional institutions.”
Chukwu who acknowledged that encouraging citizens to obtain their PVCs is a civic duty, said openly mobilising traditional institutions for an incumbent governor violates the neutrality expected of royal fathers.
“Traditional rulers are fathers to all, irrespective of political affiliations. Their stools represent communal unity, cultural heritage and moral authority, not extensions of partisan structures,” he said.
He warned that endorsing a candidate could intimidate opposition voices at the grassroots and erode public confidence in the neutrality of traditional institutions.
Citing Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution, Chukwu noted that only political parties can canvass for votes, and the Traditional Rulers Council is not a political party.
He also referenced Section 96(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits the use of public institutions and official authority for political campaigns.
According to him, “Democracy thrives on freedom of choice, plurality of opinions and institutional neutrality. Once royal fathers begin to openly campaign for one political tendency, the moral balance expected of traditional leadership is compromised.”
Chukwu maintained that traditional rulers should remain neutral, bless all political actors who approach them, and avoid partisan involvement orchestrated by the state government.
He emphasised that no governor should be presented as beyond criticism or democratic contest, and warned that if the trend continues, the APC would take legal steps, including seeking federal intervention, to prevent “a dangerous slide toward political intimidation and breakdown of democratic order.”
“For the records, the duty of traditional rulers is peacebuilding, cultural preservation and community leadership, not partisan electioneering,” he added.
APC Chair Cautions Gov Otti, LP Over Use of Traditional Rulers for Politics
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