The Kwara South Mandate Group has condemned alleged moves to pressure traditional rulers in Kwara South Senatorial District to endorse a governorship aspirant ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that such actions threaten the neutrality of traditional institutions.
In a statement issued on Monday and obtained by Arewa PUNCH, the group, led by Chief Olayemi Afolayan, accused unnamed actors of attempting to coerce first-class monarchs across the district to support the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.
Describing the alleged move as “disturbing” and “profoundly disrespectful,” the group warned against dragging traditional rulers into partisan politics, stressing that royal institutions must remain above political contests.
“The sacred stools occupied by our revered Obas are not instruments for political manipulation, nor should they be reduced to tools in any form of partisan contest,” the statement said.
The group emphasised that traditional rulers are custodians of culture and unity and should not be subjected to political pressure that could weaken their moral authority or compromise their role in promoting peace and cohesion within their communities.
It further warned that politicising the traditional institution could erode its sanctity and create avoidable tension across communities in the senatorial district.
The group also expressed concern over the alleged involvement of state actors in the development, describing it as a departure from democratic norms and raising questions about fairness, particularly as no similar claims had surfaced in other senatorial districts in Kwara State.
Calling on political stakeholders to respect the boundary between governance and traditional authority, the group urged aspirants to seek leadership positions through popular support rather than institutional influence.
Responding to the allegation, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Shehu Abdulkadir, dismissed the claims, describing them as baseless and stating that the Speaker remained focused on his legislative responsibilities.