By Taiwo Tayo & Margaret Akolo

Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma of Nasarawa State has been commended over his appeal to traditional rulers in the state to abstain from engaging themselves in partisan politics.

A Lafia-based businessman and politician, Malam Nata’alah Mohammed, made the commendation in an interview with Nigerian Newsday in Lafia recently.

Malam Mohammed said the involvement of traditional rulers in partisan politics in the past has resulted in the lowering of the qualities of leadership, especially at the local government level.

He explained that the over-bearing influence of traditional rulers in the political process has largely been responsible for the emergence of unpopular and ineffective people as public officers.

According to him, the electorate were often compelled to vote for or accept such unpopular candidates out of either fear or respect for the traditional rulers that sponsored or endorsed such candidates.

Malam Mohammed, however, urged the traditional rulers to accept the advice of Governor Doma, saying that this would be in the overall interest of the political system as well as preserve the historical respect, which the traditional rulers enjoyed from the people.

Speaking specifically on the forthcoming local government elections, Malam Mohammed urged prominent political stakeholders in the state to allow for a level playing field for the numerous aspirants vying for the position of chairmen of the local government areas.

He explained that the best way to ensure peaceful conduct of elections was to ensure that everything was done in accordance with the rules.

Malam Mohammed said "godfatherism, which often leads to favouritism" was inimical to the political system because "it only promotes mediocrity". This, he said, would not allow for good governance and development.