Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused some politicians, particularly governors, of targeting people because of their association with him.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, claimed that a mosque imam was suspended after leading a congregational prayer he attended.
He made the allegation on Saturday during a visit to the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, as part of his ongoing campaign activities in the state.
Atiku said he visited the emir’s palace to show respect for traditional institutions, which he described as an important part of the people’s heritage.
He also questioned why politicians who leave public office often return to traditional rulers to receive titles, arguing that this demonstrated the continued importance of traditional institutions.
“Whether you are a president, governor, senator or minister, once you finish your tenure, you return to the palace to receive a traditional title because this is our root and our future,” he said.
The former vice-president praised Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for allowing him to meet traditional rulers in the state, claiming that he had been denied similar access in other states.
He said,
“I want to specially thank the Governor of Bauchi State for his hospitality to us because, in many places we visit, they do not allow us to see the traditional rulers. They do not allow us to pay our respects to them; instead, they block us.”
Atiku alleged that the situation had become so serious that an imam was suspended for leading prayers at a mosque he attended.
“The ugly trend has reached a point where an imam at a mosque where I prayed was suspended by the governor,” he said.
He argued that imams traditionally operated under the authority of emirs rather than state governors, noting that governors leave office after completing their tenures while traditional rulers usually remain in their positions.
Atiku further accused some politicians of interfering in the responsibilities of traditional institutions and disregarding established procedures.
“I swear to God this will not happen under my watch,” he declared.
He also recalled that traditional rulers maintained their leadership roles over religious scholars and other institutions even during the colonial era.
Atiku assured the Emir of Bauchi that he had no intention of changing the people’s history and prayed for the opportunity to do what was right.