By joshua 
Bastardization of Traditional Rulership: A Case Study of Kogi Central Under the APC Government
By Comrade Musa Balarebi Umar
In recent times, the traditional institution in Kogi Central has witnessed a disturbing trend — the proliferation and politicization of traditional titles. Today, it seems that every household, every clan, and even sub-clans now boast more than one chief, most of whom have no real functions or recognized authority.
This situation mirrors what we have seen in the past with the unchecked spread of churches, mosques, and shrines — more places of worship, yet more societal problems. In Kogi Central today, particularly in Ebiraland (Okene axis), the coronation of Taru has become an everyday affair. A single clan may now have up to seven “first-class” chiefs, while some clans have none at all.
To put this in perspective, the entire Adamawa State — the home of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar — has only nine (9) functional first-class traditional rulers, each with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Yet in Kogi Central, the number of chiefs continues to grow without direction or purpose.
What is the essence of having numerous chiefs when they neither solve problems nor serve their people effectively? The truth is that most of these appointments are politically motivated. The state government, under the ruling APC, has used traditional titles as tools of patronage and political control. Consequently, many of these chiefs can no longer speak truth to power — their loyalty lies not with the people, but with their political benefactors.
The situation has reached a point where, in Kogi Central, the number of Taru may soon surpass that of primary school teachers. If this trend must continue, perhaps the government should officially assign two Taru as “Moral Guidance Teachers” in every school — at least then they would have a defined function. They might even serve as chairmen of moral and cultural committees in their respective communities.
The traditional institution, once revered as a custodian of culture and moral values, is gradually being reduced to a political tool and a source of ridicule. Urgent reforms are needed to restore its dignity and relevance before it loses all meaning.