The Santurakin Nupe in Niger State, Dr Mohammed K. Santuraki, has cautioned opposition politicians against presenting visits to traditional rulers as evidence of political endorsement, warning that such claims could undermine the neutrality of traditional institutions and strain relations with the state government.
Desk: Politics
Date: 20 October 2026
Time: 06:00 WAT
Location: Abuja, FCT
Santuraki’s remarks followed claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Niger State, Alhaji Muhammad Nami, that he had consulted prominent elders and secured the support and blessings of traditional rulers across the state’s eight emirates.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, Santuraki said such claims risked creating the impression that traditional rulers had collectively or individually endorsed Nami’s candidature or a particular political party.
Speaking as a prince of the Bida Emirate and a stakeholder in Niger State’s political affairs, Santuraki maintained that traditional rulers should remain impartial figures whose authority and responsibilities extend to all residents, regardless of political affiliation.
He cited the leadership of the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar, in stressing the need to preserve the neutrality of the state’s traditional institutions.
“Our traditional rulers are fathers to all, not political patrons to a few,” Santuraki said.
He argued that the willingness of royal institutions to receive politicians and members of the public should not be interpreted as support for their political ambitions.
“Access to a royal palace is not a political endorsement. Receiving royal blessings is not an electoral mandate. And the goodwill of our traditional rulers must never be appropriated for partisan advantage,” he stated.
Santuraki warned that claims of royal endorsement could generate suspicion, misunderstanding and avoidable tension between traditional institutions and the democratically elected government of Niger State.
He specifically urged political actors to avoid manoeuvres that could affect the cordial relationship between traditional rulers and the administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
According to him, traditional institutions and the state government have distinct but complementary responsibilities in maintaining peace, stability and development.
While elected authorities exercise governmental responsibilities, traditional rulers help preserve cultural identity, promote unity and support the welfare, security and development of their communities.
Santuraki said these roles required traditional institutions to remain accessible to people across political divides rather than become associated with the ambitions of individual candidates or parties.
The Santurakin Nupe called on Nami and other political aspirants to exercise restraint and responsibility when making public statements about their relationships with traditional rulers.
He stressed that political competition was legitimate but should not come at the expense of the dignity, neutrality and integrity of royal institutions.
“Let politicians seek their mandates from the electorate, not manufacture political endorsements from the palaces of our Royal Fathers,” he said.
Santuraki added that electoral contests should be determined by candidates’ ideas, competence and programmes rather than claims of royal support.
“Our traditional rulers belong to all of us. Their thrones must remain above partisan politics, and their moral authority must never be diminished by the ambitions of those seeking elective office,” he said.
He called on political actors to protect peace and unity in Niger State, insisting that the collective interests of the state should take precedence over the ambitions of individuals and political parties.
🏷️ Tags: Niger State Politics, Santurakin Nupe, Muhammad Nami, PDP, APC, Traditional Rulers
#ZigPressRelease #ZigDiariesPolitics #NigerState #TraditionalInstitutions #NigeriaPolitics
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