The group, COMPPART Foundation for Justice and Peace building made the condemnation while x-raying the “Traditional Justice Institution” in the state, on Passion 94.5 FM, Uyo.
Human Rights Group, on Friday, 13th January, 2023, condemned what it described as unnecessary, the involvement of some traditional rulers in Akwa Ibom State in partisan politics and endorsement of candidates for political positions.
The Executive Director of the foundation, Mr. Saviour Akpan, who featured on the programme, berated those traditional rulers who had allowed themselves to be dragged into the murky waters of politics in Akwa Ibom, saying such demeaning actions were most likely to create distrust between the leaders and their subjects.
He said in communities where such negative impressions abound, justice can never be seen to have been served on any matter involving community members.
The Human Rights Activist also bemoaned the actions of most traditional rulers who allow encroachment or intrusion of non-stakeholders like the youths into the affairs of the traditional institutions, believing that such meddling must have occasioned the high disregard accorded the traditional institution in the state.
Akpan however, advocated for regular sensitization of the traditional rulers on their role as the custodians of the norms and customs of the people.
He said such efforts would further enlighten them on how revered the traditional institution ought to be, and how they ought to maintain the sanctity of their stool as community -based leaders.
The Executive Director of COMPPART Foundation also advocated for a review of the code of ethics for traditional rulers in Akwa Ibom, as this, he believed, would reposition the institution and restore the dwindling faith that some communities have in the traditional set up.
A caller who identified himself as Dr. George, while contributing to the discourse, however condemned the attitude of some traditional rulers and pastors whom he said had not shown good examples and leadership sagacity within their domain of operation.
He therefore, supported the idea for a review of the code of ethics for traditional institution in the state, expressing the hope that such steps would return the lost dignity to the institution.
