El-Rufai: Politics of Cross-Ethnic Titles Amidst Lack of Governance

El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna whom many political commentators and social critics have alleged to have supervised ethnic cleansing in Nigeria, especially in the Christian-dominated region in Southern part of Kaduna has just been conferred the title of Gbobaniyi by the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru  Adetona.

In the late hours of Saturday, with Nasir El-Rufai’s name trending on X (formerly Twitter), netizens took to social to express different views on the title as the former governor is the first Nigerian outside the South West to receive a chieftaincy title from the Awujale of Ijebuland in his nearly 64-year reign.

The Yorubas by traditions, considered the conferment of title as both an expression of honor and respect but with the political climate condition as a product of the last general election states otherwise. Yet the need for good governance is aloof. This title has so far raised criticism and admirers expressing their perspectives and wishes respectively. However, the appearance of cross-nationality has put him in a political discuss where such conferment is perceived as image laundering to get voter apathy in the next election.

About The Author

Mayowa Durosinmi

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Mayowa Durosinmi is a Nigerian investigative reporter for West Africa Weekly with reports focusing on politics, human rights, security and health in West Africa and the Sahel region.

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