Traditionalist seeks inclusion, end to marginalization in governance
By Samuel Luka
The federal government of Nigeria have been called upon to put an end to the marginalization of Traditional African Religion in governance in Nigeria.
As contained in a press statement made available to newsmen by the Chairman of the Northern Traditional Religion of Northern Nigeria, Mbami Iliya Sabka on Sunday, the traditional worshippers demanded equal rights for all faiths in the country.
Also the Chief Priest of Zaar Traditional Worshippers, Mr Sabka called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address what he tagged as the longstanding, systemic marginalization of Traditional African Religion in the governance structures of Nigeria.
“Mr. President Sir, despite the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom under Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Nigeria continues to operate with a clear institutional bias. Christianity and Islam receive overwhelming state recognition, support, and public funding—particularly through the Christian and Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards—while Traditional African Religion is entirely excluded from similar representation and benefit”, he said.
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According to him, the marginalization manifests through, zero inclusion in political appointments, exclusion from access to public service roles and, lack of any federal or state institutional framework to support traditionalists.
“Traditionalists are Nigerian citizens. We pay taxes. We contribute to national peace. We preserve indigenous knowledge systems and moral values passed down for centuries. Yet, our voices remain unheard and our rights unacknowledged”, Mr Mbami Iliya Sabka decried.
He said that the traditional worshippers are not demanding privilege, but equity, urging the president to make a historic move and establish a Federal Commission for Traditional Religion Affairs, with equal legal standing and funding as the existing Christian and Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards.
Mr Sabka also urged the federal government to ensure proportional inclusion of Traditionalists in political appointments, public service roles, and national boards, as well as recognize and protect their cultural and religious rights, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where traditional worshippers are vibrant and growing in Millions.
He further enjoined the government to direct the relevant ministries and the National Human Rights Commission to end the ongoing religious discrimination in governance and uphold their constitutional freedoms.
Mr Sabka who called on the traditional worshippers to brace up for 2027 general elections, urged them to register and secure Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
“Let us unite our voices and ensure our representation in leadership at every level. Political apathy must give way to collective action.
This is a Call for Justice, Not Conflict,
Our ancestors worshipped on this land long before the arrival of foreign faiths”, he said.
Mr Sabka who said that the traditional worshippers welcome peaceful coexistence and mutual respect, said that the principle of equal treatment under the law must be upheld.
“This is not a call for confrontation—it is a plea for inclusion, recognition, and dignity.
Let Nigeria be a nation that upholds all faiths equally.
In fact, President Tinubu has an opportunity to become the first Nigerian leader to formally recognize and act upon the legitimate rights and demands of Traditional African Religion practitioners”, he pointed out.
