By Obaike Odi-hue
An arrangement is underway for traditional rulers to play greater roles in security and governance matters in the country.
This suggestion was agreed to by the 36 state governors and the monarchs in an engagement at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa on Wednesday at the instance of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF.
They were unanimous in the decision that it was time to strengthen the role of monarchs in national security and governance., especially in view of the raging insecurity in the country.
According to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun the resolve by the governors and the monarchs was sequel to a proposed bill to be presented to the National Assembly that would formalize the constitutional role of traditional rulers.
Governor Abiodun who presented the outcome of the first-ever engagement between the governors body and the traditional rulers to the media after the meeting said traditional rulers, being closer to the “grassroots, know their communities better than those of us in government that are higher up.”
Abiodun said: “We are focused on the constitutional role of traditional rulers in Nigeria. There is a bill before the National Assembly, and today, His Royal Majesty, the Etsu of Nupe, graciously provided an overview of the proposed bill.”
He stated that the bill would be shared with all attendees and that a joint committee would be formed to incorporate feedback, aiming to make the document “inclusive” and reflective of citizens’ needs.
Governor Abiodun also underscored the invaluable role traditional rulers play in grassroots security, stating, “Our traditional rulers, being close to the grassroots, know their communities better than we do in government. They know the miscreants, they know the families, and they can better assist in community policing.”
“Fortunately, we are blessed with many of them who are extremely experienced, extremely lettered, extremely knowledgeable, and we have our retired soldiers,” Governor Abiodun noted, emphasizing their potential contribution to national security.
“A new joint committee, chaired by the Governor of Imo State and comprising 15 members, will now work on enhancing the proposed legislation. Governor Abiodun explained their mandate:
“Whatever document will be presented to the National Assembly will be very comprehensive, very inclusive that seeks to empower our royal majesties, royal highnesses more and seeks to involve them in governance, peace, security of our various states across the country, including the FCT.”
The meeting also addressed gender-based violence, with particular praise for the Sultan of Sokoto’s foundation work in this area.
Governor Abiodun suggested other traditional rulers should follow this example, noting that “because of the level of trust that our citizens have in our traditional institutions who are not tenured… that trust allows them to establish referral centres all the way from local governments through their channels.”
Local government autonomy’s impact on traditional institutions was also discussed, with governors briefing the monarchs on recent Supreme Court rulings. The discussion aimed to ensure clear understanding of these changes as implementation begins.
On his part, the Etsu Nupe who presented the bill’s overview, said the proposed legislation addresses crucial aspects of traditional leadership.
He added that it covers the structure and function of traditional institutions and also, insulating the traditional rulers from partisan politics..
The traditional rulers, led by the Sultan of Sokoto and co-chaired by the Ooni of Ife, expressed enthusiasm about their enhanced role.
The Etsu Nupe highlighted the wealth of experience within their ranks saying the institution now is blessed with professionals, with military, technocrats, and all the fields you think about.
He said “this is a meeting of first time of its kind that the joint meeting will take place between the governanors and the traditional institution, so we express our profound gratitude for this initiative by the able chairman of the forum His Excellency, the governor of Kwara state.
“As his excellency has said, we deliberated on solving issues, most especially the aspect or the issue of constitutional role of traditional rulers in governance , in which I presented a brief of the memo or bill being sent to National Assembly, because, as you are all aware, presently, there’s a committee in the National Assembly charged with the responsibility for reviewing the 1999 constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria.
“So we already submitted a bill to that committee with a view to going to reach and amend the Constitution appropriately by identifying those areas, we mentioned the structure and also the function of traditional institutions all spelled out in that bill, and also made mention of the tenurshio or tenure and also, insulating the traditional rulers from partisan politics.
“And also we spoke about the funding of the institution. There’s nothing that can happen without proper funding.
“So we believe strongly if the institutions is well founded God’s willing we will perform our utmost, as rightly observed by His Excellency Our institution now is blessed with professionals, with military, technocrats, and all the fields you think about. So we serve this country 30 years, 40 years before retired, and now we retire back to another assignment of leading our people.
“So I think we’re best of our crop that can conveniently lead our people and address the challenging problems we are facing in terms of social, political,, economic and security, peace and what have you in this country.
“So we are called upon by this forum to meet together to become a very, very significant, important stakeholder towards achieving this noble objectives, and to that, one committee has already been set up, comprising of about 15 members under the chairmanship of His Excellency, the governor of IMO state, to address these issues and then bring back report to the forum so that necessary action can be taken.
“So we serve this country 30 years, 40 years before retired, and now we retire back to another assignment of leading our people.”
