The Kidnap Of A Monarch: The Questions And The Time To Act

In every Traditional Society the world over, there exist a monarch, king, emperor, chief or generally, a traditional father who is the custodian of the norms, values, customs, beliefs, culture, and tradition of such societies.
These people (the Traditional Fathers) have certain things embedded in them and are often times treated with a high level of respect. They are often referred to as 'tin-gods'.

In the Northern part of Nigeria, we have the Emirs. In the west, we have the Alaafins and Obas. In the East and probably south-south, we have the Igwes, the Obongs, the Amanyanabos, etc. When once one is known and addressed as His Royal Highness or His Royal Majesty, it is obvious without being told, that such a person carries an insignia of traditional office which surpasses any other office and deserves to be respected and honored.

They are referred to as 'tin-gods', yes, because of what they stand for. In the old Oyo Empire, in the period before 1800, there was a king known as the Alaafin. Although he was a supreme king, he was not a dictator. He ruled according to the wise advice of the council.

In the present dispensation, we have our traditional fathers who also rule in accordance with wise advice by the council. It is not always easy for one to ascend such throne or position but where this happens, all the gods, goddesses, heathens, etc, are imbued upon him. He becomes very sacred and revered. Does it not make sense therefore that such a person should be feared or needed to be afraid of or put it right, respected?

When the Paramount Ruler of Okobo Local Government Area was abducted or kidnapped, people thought it was mere story. The government themselves never took it seriously that a royal father has been kidnapped by unknown persons. He was left in the hands or at the mercy of the hooligans or “custodians” for several days under severe torture. The way and manner the Royal Father was taken away from his domain, leaves a serious question as to the security of individuals such office in the state. The action amounts to the fact that the position of a Traditional Father in the state of his domain has been seriously threatened and undermined.

When a military General was abducted or kidnapped right inside the church, leaving two dead, many innocent souls wounded and some lying in their pool of blood, the state went agog. Apologies were rendered without reservation from the ranks and file up to a point that the Governor himself had to “forcefully” worship in the church the next Sunday, promising heaven and earth to the families of the deceased and even to the monumental edifice called 'the church'.

While the Ibom Women prayed for God's vengeance in the circumstance the same week, the traditional father-Paramount Ruler of Okobo Local Government Area was kidnapped in a manner that has left trace of the perpetrators of this dastardized act. Since then, no apology has been heard from any quarter nor any visitation made. What a horrible and crooked world. Does it actually mean that our Traditional Fathers do not and should not have a say in what goes on wrongly in the state? Wait a minute! Could it be that the kidnap was “masterminded”?

Perhaps, this action and the silence from the highest quarters, most especially as it affects a Royal Father, is a potent signal to other Traditional Fathers who, instead of completely isolating themselves from politics or remain apolitical, tend to be enmeshed in the politics of the day or “politik” with reckless abandon with royal largesse attached thereto.

With the recent kidnapping of the Paramount Ruler of Okobo Local Government Area, the question that should be crossing the minds of others should be: what is the immediate or remote cause of the kidnap of one of us? Is it masterminded or caused by communal feuds? What shall we do to curb the possible recurrence? Perhaps, giving a thought to these questions and many others may not be the pre-occupation of our royal fathers but one question that eludes or defies an answer is: who will be the next to be kidnapped?

It is said on arbitrary grounds that somebody has stolen a television set without any grounds or proofs, it is really a calculated misnomer and absolutely suicidal on the part of the person so accused. This is no more an ordinary imagination or something said on arbitrary grounds. It is proven beyond every reasonable doubt that the world and even the child yet unborn, is aware of the fact that this action actually occurred and no one, not even the government has made any comment about it.

It is, indeed, a sad story that a monarch, who is to be treated royally, is reduced to a level which, even a criminal with human life caught in the act, cannot be reduced to.
In this circumstance therefore, the adage that the king does no wrong, is completely an illusion. What impression would people from outside have about our dear state-Akwa Ibom, known for its perfect calm and tranquility, devoid of riot, violence and intransigence in the past? The time to stem this tide which is fast condemning and eroding our past glory and humane nature, is NOW.