Chief Alani Bankole, a former National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party and the father of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, discussed the potential spread of the situation in Kano State to other parts of the country. He highlighted that the spread would depend on the operators involved. Bankole emphasized that the Yoruba system, the system practiced in the North, and that of the South-West are rooted in respect for elders.
According to The Punch, Bankole stated that the government has marginalized the system to the extent that most traditional rulers, or Obas, only have ceremonial functions. He warned that the situation in Kano State could soon spread nationwide, depending on the operators. He noted that the Yoruba system, as well as the systems in the North and generally in the South-West, are based on respect for elders, which has always been the case. Bankole pointed out that with a system making governors believe they are in charge of everything, combined with the level of poverty and complaints, people are unlikely to accept anything that does not resonate with them. ( Photo credit : The Punch Newspaper Verified Facebook Page )
In his own words, he remarked, "They (the government) have so marginalized the system that most of the Obas (traditional rulers) have no function at all except ceremonial functions. What is happening in Kano State will soon spread to other parts of the country, depending on who the operators are.
The Yoruba system and the system practiced in the North and generally in the South-West are based on respect for elders, and that is how it has always been. With a system that makes the governor believe he is in charge of everything and with the level of poverty and complaints, people are not likely to listen to anything that is not acceptable to them."