A significant step towards establishing a constitutional role for traditional rulers was taken in Abuja on Wednesday, as governors and key traditional leaders convened to form a committee dedicated to drafting a bill for constitutional amendment.
The joint committee was established during the inaugural meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the National Council of Traditional Rulers at Aso Villa, Abuja. Chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, the committee comprises 15 members, with a report expected to be submitted within a month.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Etsu Nupe Yahaya Abubakar spoke to the media following the meeting. Abiodun emphasized that discussions focused on community policing, intelligence sharing, and enhancing the role of monarchs in local security initiatives.
“The committee’s recommendations will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration,” Abiodun explained, highlighting the need to formalize traditional rulers’ roles in governance, peace-building, and security.
He added that the meeting also addressed food security and other emerging threats to Nigerian communities, exploring how traditional rulers could play a larger part in addressing these challenges. “After a few remarks on that submission, the joint meeting of the governors and their royal majesties agreed that the proposed bill should be circulated among all those present today.
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“A joint committee of governors and traditional rulers should be established to ensure that the remarks and comments made here reflect the desires of those they represent. This will create a robust document for presentation to the National Assembly that empowers our royal majesties and involves them in governance and security across the country, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” he stated.
Abiodun further emphasized the importance of traditional rulers in community policing, noting their proximity to the grassroots: “Some remarks were made that our traditional rulers, being close to the grassroots, know their communities better than those of us in government. They can provide intelligence that aids our law enforcement efforts.”
Etsu Nupe Abubakar elaborated on the bill’s objectives, which aim to reinforce traditional institutions through stable funding and non-partisanship. “This is a historic meeting of its kind between governors and the traditional institution. We are grateful for this initiative led by the Chairman of the NGF, the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazak.
“As Governor Abiodun has mentioned, we discussed the constitutional role of traditional rulers in governance. We have submitted a bill to the National Assembly committee reviewing the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the structure and functions of traditional institutions and seeks to insulate them from partisan politics,” he said.
Notable attendees at the meeting included the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, alongside Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
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